Team Herald
PANJIM: A Goa police constable was convicted by the Court after he was found guilty of engaging in unnatural sex with a woman who had been brought to the Mapusa Police Station after being rescued within the town.
According to the prosecution’s account, the incident occurred on August 23, 2011 when Vishwavijay Parab, who was serving as a constable at the Mapusa Police Station, allegedly verbally abused the woman with offensive language and indecent remarks, insulted her modesty, physically assaulted her and touched her inappropriately. Subsequently, he is accused of forcibly performing oral sex on the survivor in the police lock-up and threatening her against disclosing the incident. The investigation into the case was led by then Crime Branch Police Inspector Sunita Sawant, currently the Superintendent of Police at the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC).
During the court proceedings, Judicial Magistrate First Class of Mapusa, Purva Naik, addressed the defence's attempts to question the survivor’s identity. The Magistrate stated that there was no evidence to suggest that the survivor was not the complainant. The court noted that the survivor was confirmed to be from Mumbai by other prosecution witnesses and the investigating officer, thus dismissing the defence’s argument. Additionally, the Magistrate found no indication that the victim held any prior animosity towards the accused that would lead her to falsely implicate him. The court also highlighted the victim's clear identification of the accused in court, even after several years, based on a distinct facial mark.
The accused has been convicted under several sections of the law, including Section 377 (unnatural offences), Section 354 (assault or criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), Section 509, and Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, as well as Section 248 (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.
Reacting to the verdict, Arun Pandey, the founding member of ARZ (Anyay Rahit Zindagi), commented on social media, stating, “Justice delayed, but thankfully not denied. After 15 long years, justice has finally been served.” He further added, “A police constable, who exploited a victim of sex trafficking inside a police station, a place meant for protection, has been convicted. This hard-won verdict is a testament to unbiased investigation by the police and victim’s incredible courage, unshakable determination, and faith in the justice system. Despite the trauma and the odds, she stood strong, spoke her truth, and never gave up. Salute to her bravery. Her strength is a reminder that justice is possible, even when the road is painfully long.”