Banastarim Accident Case: Goa Court Cancels Bail of AAP Leader Amit Palekar

A Goa court on Monday revoked the bail of Aam Aadmi Party’s state unit chief, Amit Palekar, in connection with the 2023 Banastarim accident case, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals. A senior police official stated that Palekar must surrender immediately and will be taken into custody in accordance with the court’s order.

The tragic incident occurred on August 6, 2023, when a speeding Mercedes car collided with multiple vehicles on the Banastarim bridge, leading to the fatalities. The Crime Branch had arrested Palekar for allegedly tampering with evidence and attempting to produce a decoy driver to shield the accused, Paresh Sawardekar.

On Monday, the additional sessions court in Ponda cancelled the conditional bail that had been granted to Palekar by the additional district court. The Crime Branch had filed an application last week seeking the cancellation of Palekar’s bail, arguing that he violated bail conditions by visiting countries other than France, despite the court’s permission being limited to travel to France.

During the hearing on Friday, Palekar’s lawyer contended that the court had permitted him to travel abroad without restricting his travel exclusively to France. However, on Monday, the court accepted the Crime Branch’s application and revoked Palekar’s conditional bail.

The accident occurred on the Ponda-Panaji highway, approximately 15 kilometers from the state capital, at 7:30 p.m. on August 6. The luxury car involved in the crash struck three cars, a motorcycle, and a scooter. The accused, Paresh Sawardekar, who owns a chain of supermarkets, was arrested on charges including culpable homicide not amounting to murder, rash driving, and drunk driving.