The North Goa Special POCSO Court has granted bail to Soham Naik, a resident of Curchorem, in one of the sexual-offence matters in which he is booked as a child in conflict with the law. He was ordered to be released on furnishing a personal bond of ₹50,000.
The court allowed his bail application subject to comprehensive conditions to safeguard the victim, preserve the integrity of the trial, and ensure compliance by the child in conflict with the law. Soham Naik is strictly prohibited from contacting, stalking, intimidating, or influencing the victim, whether in person or via social media. He is also barred from directly or indirectly interfering with prosecution witnesses, the complainant, or her family members throughout the trial.
He cannot leave Goa or enter/reside in South Goa district without the court’s explicit permission until the trial concludes. Any passport in the child’s possession must be deposited with the court within eight days of release.
The court directed him to provide full details of his native and proposed local residential addresses in North Goa. Release letters will be issued only after the investigating officer completes and files address-verification reports.
As a child in conflict with the law, Soham Naik has been placed under the supervision of the probation officer attached to the South Goa District Child Protection Unit. The probation officer will implement an individual child-care plan, submit monthly progress reports, and recommend counselling if required; counselling costs will be borne by the child’s parents. He has been instructed to continue his education, refrain from repeat offences, and report to the police station whenever summoned.
The order explicitly prohibits him from misusing or disseminating any sexual or objectionable photos or videos of the victim that may be in his possession. He was also directed to cooperate fully with the investigation and attend all trial proceedings without absconding.
