Panaji: The Vasco judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) on Thursday issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against YouTuber Gautam Khattar, against whom an FIR has been registered in Goa after he made derogatory remarks against St Francis Xavier. The JMFC also remanded Gautam’s brother Madhav in four days’ police custody in the case.At the police’s request, the court issued an NBW against Gautam for non-compliance with the 35(3) BNSS notice. This notice is issued by the police and directs a person to appear before an investigating officer to be investigated in a case.Goa police have already issued a lookout notice against Gautam to ensure he does not leave the country.The crime branch team has brought Madhav, a co-accused in the case, to Goa for further investigation. Police arrested Madhav in Haridwar for filming Gautam’s remarks at the Goa event and for broadcasting them on social media platforms.“Madhav Khattar has been remanded in four days’ police custody in the Vasco case that is being investigated by the crime branch,” crime branch superintendent of police (SP) Rahul Gupta said.Vasco police on Sunday filed an FIR against Gautam for the use of derogatory language. But following public pressure, the case was later transferred to the crime branch. Protesters continue to hold protests in some parts of the state, demanding Gautam’s arrest even as multiple teams of the Goa police are trying to ascertain his whereabouts.
