Special Court to Rule on Bail in High-Profile Goa Assault Case
The special court established under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has scheduled December 4 as the date for announcing its decision on the bail application filed by Zenito Cardozo. Cardozo stands accused of orchestrating a brutal daylight assault on social activist Rama Kankonkar that occurred in September this year.
Strong Opposition from State and Victim
Both the state prosecution and the victim, Rama Kankonkar, have vehemently opposed Cardozo's release on bail. During the hearing, Kankonkar's legal representative presented compelling arguments against granting bail, emphasizing Cardozo's alleged criminal background.
The lawyer representing Kankonkar stated that considering Zenito is a known gangster, there was every possibility that he would threaten witnesses or even attempt to kill Kankonkar if released. The counsel further stressed the importance of considering the accused's criminal antecedents while deciding the bail application.
Victim's Ongoing Health Struggles Revealed
The court specifically inquired about Kankonkar's current health condition during the proceedings. In response, Kankonkar's advocate provided concerning details about the activist's recovery status.
Kankonkar has not fully recovered from the September attack and continues to experience both physical and psychological issues, according to court submissions. The advocate confirmed that Kankonkar is still undergoing medical treatment for injuries sustained during the brutal assault.
The state prosecution echoed similar concerns while opposing the bail plea, highlighting the genuine possibility of witness interference if Cardozo were to be released. Prosecutors argued that Cardozo's release could potentially jeopardize the ongoing investigation and intimidate key witnesses in the case.
All parties now await the special court's final decision, which will be delivered on December 4, marking a crucial moment in this high-profile case that has drawn significant public attention in Goa.
