A fast-track court in Panaji acquitted a man of rape after the prosecution failed to examine the survivor. The woman had filed the complaint in 2021, alleging she was raped at a bar and restaurant where both the accused and her husband worked.
The court noted that the only witness examined was the bar owner’s son, who said he learned about the incident five days later and provided no details about the alleged crime. Other witnesses were investigation officers.
Presiding officer Durga Madkaikar stated, “The evidence on record creates doubt about whether the accused was really involved in the crime.” The accused, represented by advocate Sahil Sardessai, said the complaint followed a dispute over a mobile phone allegedly stolen by the complainant’s husband. The bar owner also confirmed that since the accused ran the establishment for only three months, no formal agreement or verification details were filed. The survivor admitted there was a delay in lodging the complaint and was unaware of any action regarding the theft.