While granting bail to Meshu Da Costa and Dattaraj Raut Dessai, who were arrested by Sanguem police for the alleged offences of criminal intimidation and assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of duty, the Sanguem JMFC Court has highlighted procedural lapses by the Sanguem police. The court noted that the investigating officer had “directly copy‑pasted the contents of the affidavit in the anticipatory bail application filed before the Margao District & Sessions Court, merely changing the cause title in the affidavit opposing the present bail application.”


The court further observed that under Sections 35(5) and 35(6) of the BNSS, an accused who complies with the notice cannot be arrested unless the police record specific reasons in writing based on fresh or additional material. In this case, the court found that “the police failed to record the reasons and circumstances required for the arrest of the accused in accordance with law.”


The Sanguem JMFC Court granted bail to Meshu D’Costa on furnishing a personal bond of Rs. 20,000 and a surety of like amount.