TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
OLD GOA: A meter reader attached to the Bambolim substation was placed under preventive arrest by the Old Goa police, after a woman from Santa Cruz accused him of harassing and stalking her.
The Old Goa police informed Herald that they received a complaint from a woman that the meter reader, Simon D’Souza of Taleigao was harassing her over the phone and was stalking her since February 19.
Acting on the complaint, police said they have placed the accused under preventive arrest and added that he is currently lodged in the Ribandar outpost.
Giving further details into the matter, the woman’s husband told Herald that the meter reader had visited their home on February 14 and had told his wife that the electricity meter was not working and was in need of repairs.
“Later, he asked my wife for her number. Though she had initially declined to do so, my wife gave her number to the meter reader as she didn’t suspect anything fishy,” he added.
“On February 19, the meter reader called my wife on her number and started inquiring whether she was alone at home and whether she was willing to come with him.”
“We immediately contacted the Old Goa police, but the police told us to provide the name of the meter reader, which I availed from the Bambolim substation officials,” the husband said.
“On Thursday, when my wife was returning with our child from school, the accused stalked her and followed her to our home. When my wife noticed the accused following her, she ran to the house and latched the door from the inside. The accused then started banging on the door,” he added.
“My panic-stricken wife immediately called me and informed about the incident. Some neighbours and I caught hold of the accused and handed him over to the police,” he said.
When contacted, Assistant Engineer Chandramouli informed Herald that he would go to the Old Goa police station and collect a copy of the complaint registered against the accused meter reader, Simon D’Souza.
“Later, a complaint will be forwarded to higher officials for necessary action in the matter,” said Chandramouli.
Asked if the department has suspended the said employee, Chandramouli replied, “Until and unless the department gets a copy of the complaint, the issue of suspension doesn’t arise. The decision to suspend an employee rests with the higher officials, as it has to be an administrative decision,” he informed.
