SIOLIM: As schools across the country celebrated Teacher’s Day on Saturday, for the 10-year-old Siolim school student who was allegedly sexually abused and raped by her teacher, this was a dark day.
When schools are supposed to be safe havens for children and the Goa government has stressed on safety and security of children, especially after the Vasco minor girl rape case, in this particular case, there is little that the police appear to be doing.
The sexual abuse was revealed when on August 18, afraid of going to school the girl told her mother, who is employed as house maid, that she didn’t want to continue studies as her teacher who had abused her ten days earlier might do so again. With the help of an NGO the mother filed a complaint with Anjuna Police the next day.
The medical examination conducted almost 12 days after the incident has not ruled out genital penetration, though there is no definite evidence of vaginal penetration.
The girl’s mother has questioned the pace at which the investigation is being carried out by Anjuna police and alleged that despite the complaint there has been no police protection given to the family.
Till date, Anjuna police haven’t arrested the teacher claiming he is not traceable though the accused has filed an application for anticipatory bail in the Children’s Court through his counsel. The Court has had one hearing and the next has been scheduled for September 8.
The teacher has been booked under Section 354-A, 376 IPC, Section-8(2) of the Goa Children’s Act 2003 and Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual offences Act-2012. PSI Mahesh Kerkar is investigating the case.
The delay in investigations continues with Anjuna police collecting the CCTV footage, crucial for any leads, three days later from the school. Even after recovering the CCTV footage it had not been sent for forensic examination till Saturday.
The girl’s neighbours say that some unidentified persons speaking Konkani have been inquiring about the girl and her family trying to locate the residence. A complaint letter with telephone numbers from which the family received threats has been given to the police. The number of the car, which was used by the persons who went looking for the girl, has also been provided to Anjuna Police but the cops are yet to make any headway.
However, PI Tushar Lotlikar, who is temporarily holding charge of Anjuna police station, said that constant patrolling has been conducted by police to ensure the girl’s safety.
AAP Goa has alleged that police have given the accused teacher ample scope to tamper with evidence or influence or intimidate the victim or witness.
