Goa court modifies bail conditions of doctor accused in ICU rape case
Goa Fast-Track Court Eases Bail Restrictions, Allows Accused Doctor Back to Hospital
Panaji: In a significant development, a fast-track court in Panaji has relaxed the bail conditions imposed on a doctor accused of raping a female patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a private hospital in Goa last year, permitting him to return to the institution to continue his postgraduate medical studies.
The order was passed by Pooja Kavlekar, Presiding Officer of the Special Court in Panaji. However, the court imposed several restrictions and clarified that the accused would not be permitted to visit the hospital for any purpose other than completing his academic requirements without prior court approval.
Also Read:Goa doctor arrested for alleged sexual assault on ICU patient
“After completing his degree and allied procedures, the accused shall not visit the hospital without court permission for any other reason till the matter is disposed of,” said the court.
The doctor was arrested in May 2025 in connection with the alleged rape of a woman admitted to the ICU of a private hospital. He was granted bail in October, subject to conditions that included staying away from the hospital and refraining from influencing witnesses.
He recently approached the court seeking modification of the bail conditions, stating that he had enrolled in a Diplomate of National Board (DNB) course in General Medicine at the hospital in 2023. According to his application, he had been unable to attend academic sessions since September 2025 due to the restrictions imposed by the court.
He further informed the court that he had received a show-cause notice from the National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences in April 2026, warning that his admission could be terminated if he remained absent for more than a year.
In its order, the court acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and the need to ensure justice for the survivor. However, it was observed that the trial was unlikely to conclude in the near future.
The court noted that the survivor had not yet appeared before the police to record her statement, indicating that the proceedings could take a considerable amount of time before reaching their conclusion.
Observing that the case may take years to be decided, the court held that the doctor could not be kept out of the hospital.
As per TOI, “The accused shall not establish contact with the nurses and doctors named in the chargesheet as witnesses, except for professional purposes. The accused shall not tamper with any documents or evidence that may be available in the hospital linked to the case,” the court held.
Also Read:Goa court grants bail to doctor accused of sexual assault on ICU patient
