Team Herald
MARGAO: The Colva police have arrested Joaquim Manuel D’Silva, a committee member of Dr Rafael Asilo Old Age Home in Benaulim, on charges of fraudulently withdrawing Rs 9.26 lakh and misappropriating gold ornaments weighing 200 grams from an inmate’s custody. D’Silva, a resident of Acsona, Benaulim, faces charges under Section 316(2) and 318(4) of the BNS, as well as Section 24 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
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According to the complaint filed by Guilhermina D’Costa, a former inmate of the old age home, the accused had access to her bank ATM card and cheque book, which were entrusted to him for safe custody and managing her basic needs during her stay at the facility from December 1, 2016, to July 9, 2024. Instead, he allegedly used them for personal gain, withdrawing funds from her account.
Furthermore, D’Silva is accused of mentally harassing D’Costa to surrender her gold ornaments for safekeeping, which he misappropriated for his benefit. The complainant is currently residing in Mumbai.
During the investigation, the accused was taken into custody and presented before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) in Margao, where he was remanded to two days of police custody. The investigation is being conducted by PSI Prashant Bhagat of Colva Police Station.
