Team Herald
PANJIM: The Anjuna police on Friday arrested a 36-yr-old man for allegedly abducting and raping a 16-year-old minor girl from Assagao. Police stated that the accused, Deryl Francise Fernandes, resident of Umta Vaddo Calangute, kidnapped the victim, warned her of dire consequences, took the girl to a hotel room and raped her.
The police however are yet to book the owner of the hotel where the crime occurred. The incident occurred in March but the frightened girl informed her family about the assault only in April.
A police complaint was filed on April 3 and the rape was confirmed by the doctors.
Police sources told O Heraldo that the accused took the minor victim to a hotel and told the person manning the reception that the girl was his daughter. "We have not yet filed an FIR against the hotel owner," said the Anjuna police.
The Calangute police in whose jurisdiction the crime occurred however stated that they would book the hotelier only when the Anjuna police files a complaint against him. "Even though the crime took place in our jurisdiction, the victim was kidnapped from Assagao and the Anjuna police have booked the accused for rape yesterday. Till now, the Anjuna police have not filed a complaint against the hotel owner. Once they register an FIR, then we will act accordingly," said a police officer from Calangute.
Another senior police officer however stated that it is duty of the police to file an FIR against the hotel owner and seek for cancellation of the resort licence since it is mandatory for the hotelier to seek identification of his guests before providing accommodation. "Rape is a heinous crime and the owner has to be booked for dereliction of duty since the crime has occurred at his resort," said the cop.
A child rights activist had this to say: "If a place is given to a criminal where a child is sexually abused, then the owner has to be booked. It amounts to violation of the Goa Children's Act. There is a specific legislation under which the owner can be jailed for three years for letting out his premises for illegal activity," said the activist.
According to police sources, the accused Deryl Fernandes is married with a child, and met the girl and her family at a christening event where he shared his number with them. Sources in police stated that Fernandes was known to have a violent streak and was abusive towards children and had threatened to kill mother and daughter.
PSI Navneet Goltekar is investigating the case and has booked the accused under the BNS and Goa Children's Act for rape.