The Cuncolim Police have registered an FIR following the alleged abduction of two 15-year-old girls from their homes on the morning of July 4 at around 7:30 am. The case has been filed under Section 137(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 8(2) of the Goa Children’s Act, after the victims' families reported that the girls were taken without their consent.
According to the complaint, unknown individuals are believed to have kidnapped the minors from lawful guardianship, an offence covered under the newly implemented BNS. Section 137(2) penalizes anyone who takes or entices a child under 18 years of age away from their lawful guardian without permission, with a punishment of up to seven years in prison and a fine.
Section 8(2) of the Goa Children’s Act, meanwhile, ensures that crimes involving minors are treated with heightened seriousness and legal sensitivity.
Police have launched a detailed investigation and are actively working to trace the whereabouts of the missing girls. Officers have appealed to the public to come forward with any information that may assist in locating the girls or identifying those responsible.
Authorities stated that all possible leads are being followed, and efforts are underway to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies. Similar past incidents in the region have seen swift police action, including the formation of special teams to track down missing minors.