The High Court has granted bail to Ravi Laximan Naik in connection with a July 2026 stabbing incident registered at the Mapusa Police Station, observing that no specific role in the physical assault was attributed to him and nothing incriminating had been recovered from his possession. According to the prosecution, on July 31, 2026, the complainant’s brother, Manthan, was riding his scooter from Mapusa toward Shirgao when an individual riding a black scooter intercepted him.
The rider allegedly made a phone call summoning associates and subsequently stabbed Manthan in the back, inflicting serious injuries. The injured victim reached the Aldona Police Station and was referred to a primary health centre. The prosecution alleged that the attack was executed to establish local dominance. During the initial probe, police arrested Suraj Vijay Kasabe and seized a knife, scooter, and clothing under panchanama. Investigators alleged that Naik was also present at the scene and had dashed his scooter into the victim's vehicle before Kasabe executed the knife attack. Appearing for the accused Ravi Naik, Adv. Arun Bras De Sa along with Adv. Coburn Franco, argued that the applicant was not the assailant and that the victim's injuries were not caused by any act committed by Naik.
Counsel submitted that the trial court had previously rejected bail solely on the grounds of Naik’s past criminal record. Opposing the plea, the prosecution argued that investigation had placed Naik at the crime scene and noted that he had multiple antecedents of a similar nature, warning that his release could compromise the ongoing probe. The High Court noted that while the applicant has around ten past criminal cases registered against him—including one under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act—he has not suffered a conviction in any matter.
The court observed that the original FIR was registered against unknown individuals, no specific physical role in the assault was attributed to Naik, the primary stabbing act was attributed to co-accused Kasabe, and no incriminating evidence was recovered directly from Naik. Under these circumstances, the bench held that continued detention was unjustified. The High Court finally ordered Naik’s release on a personal bond of ₹1,00,000 with one or two local sureties of like amount.
