PANJIM: No evidence of rape or sexual assault as well as conflicting testimonies of the complainant’s mother and witnesses have raised serious doubts over the veracity of a complaint of rape on a child, registered at Pernem Police Station.
The incident dates back to March 14, 2022, when a woman of Karnataka origin approached the local police station alleging her four-year-old daughter was raped. Her complaint was turned into an FIR under the stringent Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences Act. (POCSO)
The woman complainant, claiming to be a fashion designer, had arrived in Goa a couple of months ago and shifted to a rented accommodation. It is learned she was unable to pay the rent as a result of which, she was asked to vacate the premises. The entire episode of rape allegation unfolded hereafter, even as the police have not closed the case.
Sources said that initially an unknown Russian was accused of raping the child after which the blame shifted to the single mother’s landowner, who incidentally is the Sarpanch of a village panchayat in Pernem.
The infant was subjected to a medical examination that confirmed she wasn’t raped or sexually assaulted. “There is no evidence of genital penetration present,” the report stated after a thorough examination of the child. The rashes on the child are that of her diaper while no external or internal injury was noticed, sources said.
With the matter being reported from the police station to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, the investigation team, sources said, remained on their toes trying to collect all possible evidence to crack the case. “CM personally monitored the case, however, it became an arduous task to nail the accused due to contrary statements and lack of evidence,” sources said.
It is reliably learnt that the minor’s statement was recorded in the presence of an NGO, whose members counselled the child and recorded her statement. The child, the source claimed, did not narrate any untoward incident with her. “She was speaking about everything else but not about anyone doing a mischievous act with her. She was specifically asked about ‘bad touch’ to which she denied. Only one woman touched her who happens to be her mother’s business partner. The touch, the child said, was normal and not mischievous,” sources added.
In fact, the business partner feigned ignorance about anything wrong with the child. The evidence collected from the site also allegedly did not indicate the offence. Sources said that from over 16 persons rounded up, the child has not identified any person who touched her in an uncomfortable way.
The police, it is learnt have not closed the case or outrightly denied probing further but in the light of the evidence at hand, they really do not have anything tangible to proceed further unless new facts and evidence are brought to light.
Purported victim’s mother first agrees to come to Herald to tell her story, then refuses to show up
CALANGUTE: It was Monday (18th April 2022) morning when a Herald reporter contacted the woman who lived at a guesthouse at Arambol/Mandrem on a social networking site after the lady claimed and shared a post on social media alleging her daughter was alleged molested, abused and raped by 16 men and demanded help from NGOs, people of Goa and the media. After reading this post she shared on Sunday (17th April 2022) Herald contacted her showing concern.
Soon, within an hour after the messaging the lady, stating “Hello, this is a reporter from Herald who would like to meet her and help her”. She replied within an hour with her contact number.
Herald spoke to her and scheduled a meeting with her, she assured us to meet by noon at Panjim. While speaking to her, Herald felt she was incoherent and disturbed. When she did not turn up Herald called her again and she said that she was having lunch and she would reach by 1.30 but it was 2 in the afternoon but she didn’t turn up.
She eventually replied after not taking some more calls saying that some vehicles are following her and in fear, she has parked her car at the SP’s office. She then said she met the SP, North Goa, and explained her case. When Herald asked when she would meet the reporter, she said she would call back and meet. Two days later Herald is still waiting for her call
