The High Court has granted bail to Ravishwar Ramesh Naik, one of the accused arrested in connection with the abduction and fatal assault of Uttar Pradesh tourist Kapil Chaudhary in October 2025. The court observed that, although prima facie material indicated Naik’s presence and participation in the assault, there appeared to be no premeditated intention or motive to kill Chaudhary.
According to the prosecution, Chaudhary, a resident of Uttar Pradesh, arrived in Goa on October 31, 2025, and rented a Mahindra Thar from accused Gurudatt. After noticing through an installed GPS tracker that the vehicle was heading towards Maharashtra, Gurudatt suspected that Chaudhary was trying to flee Goa with it. Gurudatt and his associates then pursued the vehicle. The accused allegedly intercepted Chaudhary in Kankavali, took him to a residence in Thivim and assaulted him before abandoning him in a forested area at Bibyakade. Colvale Police later recovered his body beside the road. The post-mortem examination recorded 29 external blunt-force injuries.
The cause of death was attributed to head injuries—specifically, subdural and subarachnoid haemorrhages—along with the cumulative effects of multiple external injuries. After considering the submissions of both sides, the High Court observed that the assault appeared to have been triggered by suspicion of vehicle theft rather than a premeditated plan to murder Chaudhary. It also noted that he was reportedly alive and conscious when he was left beside the road. The court said it would be for the trial court to determine whether the offence amounted to murder.
Taking into account Naik’s 11 months in custody and the likelihood that the trial would not begin in the immediate future, the bench held that prolonged detention was unwarranted. The High Court granted bail and ordered Naik’s release on a personal bond of Rs 1,00,000, with one or two local sureties for a like amount.
