COLVA: The additional sessions court in Margao dismissed the bail application of Omkar Patil, one of the accused in the murder of Margao jeweller Swapnil Walke.
On September 2, Walke was stabbed and shot at in a bid to commit robbery by three accused.
The police had arrested the applicant along with Mustafa Shaikh and Evander Rodrigues as accused under Sections 302, 398, 201 read with 120-B of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 3 and 25 of the Arms Act.
Advocate R Dessai arguing for the accused submitted that the murder case revolves around Shaikh. The only piece of evidence against the applicant is the recovery of the number plates, which is not sufficient to detain his client in the jail, Dessai told the court.
Public prosecutor D Korgaonkar submitted that Patil is booked for broad daylight murder, criminal conspiracy and destroying evidence apart from offences under the Arms Act.
“There is clear cut evidence to show that the applicant has conspired with the other accused to commit robbery and murder of the deceased,” stated Korgaonkar.
Judge Cholu Gauns observed that the acquaintance of the applicant with other two accused stands proved on admission.
The judge observed that audio-video recording of the bullet firing practice has been attached. The recordings contain transcript of the applicant and Mustafa during their firing practice at Ravanfond using the gun used by Shaikh in the murder.
The judge also observed that there are circumstances establishing the presence of the accused at the crime scene at the time of the incident.
The conduct of the applicant and other surrounding circumstances prima facie shows that the applicant Omkar Patil is a part of the criminal conspiracy in commission of the murder of the deceased, the judge noted.