MARGAO: The safety of women in South Goa has been a cause for concern with the South district reporting as many as 35 rape cases from January to December last year. The marginal increase in rape cases have been attributed to rapid development in rural areas and due to the influx of migrants, which has also contributed to cases of kidnapping and others.
It is pertinent to note that all rape cases reported during the above period have been detected.
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Police said that in some kidnapping and rape cases, victims were students and of minor age. Going by the FIRs, in some rape cases the victims included minor girls, married women who were assaulted and threatened with dire consequences.
Police said in most cases, the perpetrators were known to the victims, who were lured on the pretext of marriage.
Police also said that in some cases, complaints were lodged only after the victim was pregnant.
In some cases, police filed charge sheets against the accused which showed that detection rate had improved.
South Goa has 16 police stations of which maximum number of 8 rape cases were
Verna PS followed by Vasco PS (6), Maina-Curtorim PS and Colva PS (4 each), Cuncolim PS and Fatorda PS (3 each), Margao PS and Ponda PS (2 each), Quepem PS, Sanguem PS and Canacona PS (1 each)
Colva PI Filomena Costa said, “In Colva Police Station four rape cases were registered and all were detected with the arrest of the accused. In most cases victims were known to the accused. The arrested migrants have been charged in the court under relevant sections.”
Advocate Amarnath Desai said, “An accused in a rape case is charged under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code. The accused may be punished with imprisonment for a term not less than seven years, but which may be for life or for a term which may extend to 10 years.”
He said, “In rape cases preserving DNA report is a vital part of the investigation. The DNA evidence is used by the investigating officer to prove that a sexual abuse took place. The police collect the DNA evidence at the crime scene headed by a trained investigator.”
He felt that the department has to ensure that the law enforcers and investigators receive special training in the handling DNA evidence.
