Goa court rejects bail plea of six in tourist extortion case

PANAJI: A North Goa court has rejected the bail applications of six accused, including three women working as masseuses in a saloon and spa at Mapusa, in connection with allegedly extorting money from tourists.
“…the say of the investigating officer reveals that the offence of dacoity committed by the applicant along with other associates and the manner in which it is committed is a serious offence which is punishable for life imprisonment or rigorous imprisonment for ten years and fine,” the court said while rejecting the bail applications of the three men. It also rejected the bail applications of the three women.
“It is seen from the case diaries that although statements of witnesses are recorded, the investigation is at a preliminary stage and there is possibility that the applicant may tamper with the evidence or the witnesses and may interfere with the witnesses,” additional sessions judge-1 of fast track court, Mapusa, Sharmila Patil said.
The investigating officer needs to be given time for carrying out an investigation in order to file a chargesheet, she stated.
It was submitted to the court that the male tourists were lured into providing the accused good lunch on May 24 and were then taken to a beauty parlour and spa and wrongly confined. They were then assaulted and threatened with dire consequences. The tourists were then robbed of money and gold amounting to Rs 1.80 lakh.