PERNEM: The Mopa Police have arrested a 42-year-old Sports Authority of Goa (SAG) employee from Ugvem for allegedly kidnapping, molesting and rape of a school student. The accused was working as a SAG groundsman at the school, Torxem.
According to police, initially a case of kidnapping and molestation was filed however, the girl revealed in the presence of an NGO member that she was sexually assaulted. Though the incident occured on November 21, 2023, the complaint was filed by the father of the girl on February 14, 2024. The accused identified as Kalpesh Mahale was arrested on Friday morning. The accused allegedly kidnapped the complainant’s minor daughter from his lawful guardianship and took her to Arambol and Morjim in his car and molested her and raped her.
The complainant came to know about the incident on February 14, 2024, from the headmistress of the school. Further, on checking the mobile phone of the daughter, the complainant came to know from the screenshots that the accused had sent obscene messages to his daughter on her Instagram ID.
The Pernem Police have registered an FIR under sections 363, 354, 376 and 201 of IPC and 8 (2) of Goa Children’s Act, Section 4,8,12 of POCSO Act and Section 67 of Information Technology Act and the case is being investigated by Pernem PI Narayan Chimulkar.
Pernem SDPO Jivba Dalvi said since the accused person destroyed the evidence from his mobile, Section 201 IPC is added to the crime. The assistance of a scientific expert from the forensic science team, Verna, was taken while collecting evidence in this crime, he said.
Meanwhile, members of Torxem Panchayat confronted the Mopa Police, regarding a disturbing rape case, which occured within their jurisdiction. They urged the Mopa Police to take strict action against the accused. The panchayat members expressed sorrow over the heinous crime of rape perpetrated against a 13-year-old high school student by an employee of the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG).
Torxem Sarpanch Swati Toraskar said, “When we came to know about the rape case in the village we were confused since we were hearing different versions. We did not know what to do. So we decided to go to the police station to clear our doubts. I am a not only a sarpanch, but a woman and a teacher. We will not tolerate if anything happens to our children. All our panchayat members met the police and we demanded speedy investigation.”
“The Pernem police has assured us to complete the full investigation within 60 days. We have demanded strict action against the accused,” Toraskar said.
Ex ZP member Suryakant Toraskar said, ” We have met the Police Inspector and demanded action as per law. Police have arrested the accused irrespective of the rumour that there is political pressure being used.”
