ANJUNA: Two French nationals were allegedly assaulted by locals from Anjuna and the lady was also molested on two occasions in a shocking incident that occurred on August 15 morning at Anjuna.
After a complaint was lodged, the Anjuna police, on August 16 arrested the two French nationals for allegedly assaulting an Anjuna resident, Ramesh Naik and his minor son.
The police officials informed that the complainant and his son were moving on a two-wheeler and the French couple passing by on a rented bike splashed rain water on them unintentionally.
The police official informed that the complainant questioned these two French nationals about the rainwater being splashed on them and told them to ride slowly. The two stopped the motorbike and assaulted the Anjuna man and his son, causing them injuries and fled the spot. Both the injured were rushed to a hospital for treatment and later discharged.
Acting on the complaint, the police registered offences under Sections 323, 427, 506 (ii) read with 34 of Indian Penal Code and Section 8 of Goa Children Act, and arrested both the French nationals identified as Martin Daidie (25) and Karima Benarab (28).
The French national however had a different story to tell, Karima Benarab said they apologised to the locals but they (locals) kept chasing them and blocking their path. Finally she was pulled down from the bike and molested while her husband punched Ramesh in self defence.
“We were placed in the lock-up on August 16 and were not even allowed to call our family or even the embassy. The police told me that the man who molested me was a minor but he actually looked bigger and stronger than me. Later on August 16, I was taken to the PHC at Siolim because I complained of pain in my jaw for which I was given pain killers. It took them five hours to take me to the hospital,” wrote Karima in her complaint letter.
“First of all I was in pain as my jaw was dislocated and I was having problem eating and swallowing. When I went to the toilet in the police station a security followed me and tried to molest me. Finally we were released on bail on Saturday and are at a safe place arranged for us by the French Embassy. We are scared for our lives and terrified of what the police here are capable of doing. We just want to get justice and leave India,” she added.
Dr Jawaharlal Henriques, known for helping French nationals in Goa was asked by the French Embassy to follow the case. Accordingly Henriques went to the Anjuna where the police officer reportedly explained to him the whole incident.
“I failed to believe the story told (by police) to me as it sounded fictitious. The police also mentioned that the foreign nationals were under the influence of drugs. I informed the French Embassy that this was a very difficult case. When the duo appeared before me on August 20 they looked clean people,” Henriques said.
The French nationals were produced before Judge Sherin Paul holding charge of Children’s Court. The judge suggested the French duo a lawyer Sunny Kalangutkar to present them before the North Goa Superintendent of Police Chandan Chaudhary. On hearing the arguments Judge Sherin released the French nationals.
“The police have been harassing these two French nationals since they are outsiders. The Anjuna Police failed to record their grievances and also added serious sections in the crime to keep them in the lock up,” Henriques added.
“Sherin Paul found foul play on part of the Anjuna police. Anjuna PSI Manisha investigating the case was forcing me to hand over their passports which were handed over after the judge ordered them to. The French national has been asked not to leave Goa without the permission of court,” he added.
Herald is in possession of a copy of written complaint submitted by the French national to the North Goa Superintendent of Police on August 20.
“We arrested both the French nationals on August 16 for allegedly assaulting Anjuna resident. Then on August 17 they were both taken into judicial custody and then on August 18 they were released on bail.” said Anjuna PI Chetan Patil.
