The High Court has granted anticipatory bail to contractor Malcum Agnelo Pereira in connection with an alleged assault on Chinchinim Village Panchayat Sarpanch Gerson Gomes, observing that the clash originated from a contractual dispute over market fee collection.
The case against Pereira was registered by Cuncolim Police for allegedly voluntarily causing hurt to deter a public servant from discharging official duties. According to the complaint lodged by Sarpanch Gerson Gomes, Pereira held the Sopo (market/festival fees) collection contract for the year 2026–2027 for a total amount of ₹14,20,000, of which he had deposited an initial installment of ₹7,10,000.
Tensions reportedly arose concerning vendor fee rates ahead of the major church fair scheduled between September 13 and September 24. Gomes alleged that on September 7, when vendors gathered at the panchayat office regarding the fees, Pereira entered his cabin, recorded video footage, and demanded answers. The complainant alleged that while he was leaving the office, Pereira pushed him down the stairs, kicked him in the head and chest, and attempted to strike him with a stone before bystanders intervened. Advocate Vibhav Amonkar, appearing alongside Advocate Raj Chodankar for the applicant, argued that the incident was a physical scuffle arising out of an ongoing controversy where the panchayat had failed to communicate the officially gazetted Sopo rates to the Church Fabrica.
The defense noted that Pereira also sustained injuries during the altercation and had fully cooperated with the investigation, including attending the police station under a Section 35(3) notice and surrendering his mobile phone containing the video recording. Opposing the plea, Additional Public Prosecutor Somnath Karpe and Advocate Ryan Menezes, representing the complainant, argued that the attack on an elected representative was serious, put the Sarpanch’s life at risk, and warranted custodial interrogation to confront Pereira with case material and assess motive. The prosecution also highlighted the presence of criminal antecedents.
The High Court noted that medical certificates showed the informant suffered simple injuries caused without weapons, through fist and kick blows. It further observed that Pereira had sustained injuries during the scuffle that were left unexplained in the First Information Report (FIR). Granting anticipatory bail to accused Malcolm Pereira, the High Court observed that the inception of the dispute was rooted in a contractual controversy rather than an evident prima facie intent to deter a public servant from duty.
While Pereira had five previous criminal antecedents on record, none pertained to similar offenses, and none had resulted in convictions. Directing his release on a personal bond of ₹50,000 with one surety of like amount in the event of arrest, the High Court barred Malcolm Pereira from entering Chinchinim Village until the charge sheet is filed, except when required to visit the police station.
