Team Herald
MARGAO: A minor schoolgirl has reported that she was confined and raped by a 32-year-old man, identified as Girish alias Nilesh Velip, a resident of Cola,
Canacona.
This crime has come to light while the people of South Goa are still processing the gang rape of a mentally unsound girl in Cansaulim, reported
last week.
The Cuncolim police, following a complaint filed by the victim's family, arrested the accused and produced him before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Margao, where he was remanded in three days' police custody.
According to Cuncolim police, the accused Velip was working abroad, and recently returned to Goa. He befriended the victim via WhatsApp. Using this connection, he visited her home in November 2024 when she was alone. He allegedly confined her in a room, sexually assaulted her, and issued threats to deter her from reporting the incident.
The case was initially brought to the Women's Cell, Margao, which transferred it to Cuncolim police. Investigations led to Velip's arrest late Monday night. He is being charged under Sections 376(2) and 354 of the Indian Penal Code, along with relevant sections of the Goa Children's Act, 2003, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012.
The victim was initially taken to the Bali Health Centre and later shifted to the South Goa District Hospital and finally to the Goa Medical College Hospital. PSI Sudan Bhosale of the Cuncolim Police Station is investigating the case.
Congress slams govt over rising crimes against women
Accountability demanded after gang rape of mentally challenged woman
MARGAO: The Congress party has strongly criticised the State government and police over the rising number of crimes against women in Goa, particularly in light of the recent gang rape of a mentally challenged woman.
The party has demanded accountability from the authorities for their failure to address women’s
safety concerns.
Speaking to reporters, GPCC General Secretary Manisha Usgaonkar accused the government of merely paying lip service to women’s empowerment and safety by organising events and programmes without implementing any concrete action.
She questioned whether women are truly safe in Goa, given the increasing crimes against them.
“This government only talks about ‘Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao,’ but has done nothing tangible to protect women from criminals. Where were the police when the mentally challenged woman was abducted from Margao and gang-raped at Cansaulim? Where is the police presence at bus stands and public spaces? Where are the women’s police stations and the Pink Force? Why have these agencies failed to prevent the rapes and molestations taking place in the State?”
Manisha asked.
She further expressed concern about the safety of women in the State, saying, “Do you think any woman would feel safe stepping out at night after this horrific gang rape? Instead of strengthening security by deploying more personnel, the government is embroiled in job scams.”
Manisha also questioned the compliance of the guest house where the assault took place, asking whether it adhered to the District Collector’s directions on tenant verification.
“What action is the government taking against the guest house that allowed criminals to sexually assault the woman?” she demanded.