A North Goa court has granted permission to Sukhwinder Singh, who is accused in the high-profile 2022 murder case of Haryana BJP leader and actor Sonali Phogat, to travel abroad for celebrating his wedding anniversary. This decision comes amidst the ongoing legal proceedings in the sensational case that has captured national attention.
Court Approves Travel Application for Anniversary Celebration
Sukhwinder Singh filed a formal application before the court seeking permission to travel overseas specifically to mark his wedding anniversary. Senior advocate S Dessai, representing Singh, presented the request to the court, detailing that his client wishes to visit Phuket first and then proceed to Dubai for the celebration.
Advocate Dessai argued that considering the peculiar facts and circumstances surrounding the case, along with the current stage of proceedings where arguments before charge are being heard, the court could reasonably grant this travel request. The court, after deliberation, accepted this reasoning and approved Singh's application.
Specific Travel Conditions and Timeline
The court has permitted Sukhwinder Singh to depart from India on January 30, with a mandatory return date on or before February 20. Upon his return to the country, the court has directed him to immediately surrender his passport to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Furthermore, the court has emphasized that Singh must remain present before the judicial forum on all scheduled hearing dates without fail.
Background of the Sonali Phogat Murder Case
Sonali Phogat, the prominent Haryana BJP leader and actor, allegedly arrived in Goa on August 22, 2022, accompanied by her personal assistant Sudhir Sangvan and Sukhwinder Singh. The trio checked into a hotel at Vagator, and later that night, they visited Curlies, a popular shack at Anjuna beach.
According to the investigation, Sangvan and Singh took Phogat to the shack under the pretext of partying, where they allegedly forced her to consume an obnoxious substance mixed in drinking water. The Central Bureau of Investigation, which took over the case, filed a comprehensive 1,000-page chargesheet before the Mapusa Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court.
CBI's Findings and Charges
The CBI chargesheet accuses both Sudhir Sangvan and Sukhwinder Singh of murdering Sonali Phogat with the alleged motive of usurping her property. The investigative agency states that the duo forced Phogat to consume drugs, specifically MDMA, continuously for several hours leading up to her death. The chargesheet presents detailed evidence and witness statements supporting these allegations.
This case continues to unfold in the judicial system, with the recent travel permission adding another layer to the complex legal proceedings involving the accused individuals.
