​The Ponda Additional Sessions Court has granted bail to Fondu alias Ankush Gaude, who spent over seven years behind bars in connection with a 2019 murder case. The court allowed Gaude’s bail application, ordering his release, on a personal bond of ₹50,000 with one surety of the like amount, subject to strict conditions.

The accused Ankush Gaude was arrested on April 29, 2019, by the Ponda Police following an incident at Matugal, Usgao. According to the prosecution, on the evening of April 28, 2019, Gaude assaulted Ravindra Gaude with a sickle (koita) on his head, shoulder, and left hand. The assault was allegedly fueled by suspicions of an illicit relationship between the deceased and the accused's wife. Ravindra succumbed to his injuries while undergoing medical treatment at the Goa Medical College (GMC), Bambolim. The accused was subsequently booked for murder and causing disappearance of evidence.


​The defence side argued that Gaude had languished in custody for over seven years and four months since his arrest in 2019, amounting to pre-trial punishment. The defence highlighted that out of 47 witnesses cited by the prosecution, only 10 had been examined, indicating the trial would take a considerable time to conclude.

​Opposing the plea, Public Prosecutor argued that the offence was grave and punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty. The prosecution submitted that the accused possessed motive, means, and opportunity, and argued that delays in the trial were administrative—caused by frequent transfers of presiding judges—rather than deliberate prosecution lapses. Patil also expressed strong apprehension that the accused might influence or tamper with witnesses who are neighbours and relatives.

​While granting bail to the accused Ankush Naik, the court observed that while the charges framed were serious, it took roughly seven years to examine only 11 witnesses, and logically it could take twice as long to finish examining the proposed list of witnesses.

​Citing apex court precedents, the court noted that "Howsoever grave a crime may be, if the accused is denied his right to speedy trial and is languishing in jail for years together for no fault on his part, he cannot be kept in jail for an indefinite period. If the right to speedy trial is infringed, then Court must consider the plea for bail appropriately."


The court also noted that Gaude is a permanent resident with no previous criminal history and that generic apprehensions regarding witness tampering or flight risk could be addressed through strict conditions.