Ex-director charged with abusing minor

PANJIM, JULY 14
Former Director of Civil Supplies George Kuruvilla along with his two sons has been charged by Goa Children’s Court of sexually abusing a minor girl.
Children’s Court President P V Sawaikar today framed charges against 65 year old Kuruvilla and his two sons Suraj (24) and Shyam (21) for sexually abusing the 13 and half- year-old girl.
The girl, who was staying at Kuruvilla residence at Sangolda village, died after consuming poison, four years back. The post-mortem conducted on her body had reported old tears on her hymen.
Kuruvilla’s wife, Lezata Mascarenhas, has also been charged by the court in this case under the Goa Children’s Act.
Charges under Section 305 of Indian Penal Code (abetment of suicide), Section 8 (9) and 7 (5) of Goa Children’s Act for keeping the minor girl in the house without legal permission and child sexual abuse were framed in this case.
As per the complaint registered with the Calangute police station on December 18, 2006, the girl had died on December 13, 2006 at Goa Medical College (GMC) after consuming poison.  
It has been reported that the girl, at the age of two years, was handed over to Kuruvilla couple by an orphanage run by missionaries.
According to the prosecution, the nun attached to the orphanage had met the girl earlier in September 2006 wherein the victim had alleged that the couple was harassing her and she was not happy with them.
The victim had also said that she does not want to stay with the Kuruvilla family as she was forced to do household work and was also beaten up regularly by the couple and their sons.  
A complaint was earlier made to Childline, who in turn had complained to the Calangute police station.
The matter was first heard in the Children’s Court on February 17, 2010. Accordingly, on June 28, the court passed the order to frame charges against the accused.