The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court will hear former RSS chief Subhash Velingkar’s anticipatory bail plea on Monday, following his earlier rejection by a lower court. Velingkar faces charges for allegedly offending religious sentiments with remarks about St. Francis Xavier. The case has ignited discussions on free speech and religious sensitivities in Goa.
Porvorim: The Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court has scheduled the hearing of the anticipatory bail plea by former Goa RSS chief, Subhash Velingkar, for Monday. This decision came after a brief hearing today, on 10th October, where the petitioner’s lawyer informed the court that Velingkar would appear before the investigating officer later that day.
Velingkar’s anticipatory bail plea was initially rejected by a lower court earlier this week. He faces charges for allegedly hurting religious sentiments with remarks about Goa’s patron saint, St. Francis Xavier. The case has drawn significant attention in the state, sparking debates around religious sensitivities and free speech.
The hearing today took place before Justice B.P. Deshpande. Velingkar’s lawyer argued that his client was willing to fully cooperate with the police investigation but sought assurance that he would not be arrested if he did so. In response, the state public prosecutor assured the court that Velingkar would not be arrested, provided he cooperates with the authorities.
The controversy surrounding Velingkar’s comments has put political and social tensions in Goa under the spotlight. Velingkar, a former head of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Goa, has been a vocal and influential figure in the state’s socio-political landscape. His statement about St. Francis Xavier, however, has led to widespread criticism, with several parties accusing him of hurting the religious sentiments of the local Christian community.
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Adding further complexity to the case, four intervention petitions were filed during the hearing. Among the petitioners were prominent political figures such as Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Cruz Silva, former Congress leader Valanka Alemao, and Congress leader Warren Alemao. They were represented by advocate Amit Palekar, who has been actively involved in this matter.
The High Court’s decision to fix the arguments for Monday has created a sense of anticipation among Velingkar’s supporters and detractors alike. As this case moves forward, it is expected to continue to spark discussions on religious sensitivities, freedom of expression, and political maneuvering in Goa.
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