Team Herald
PANJIM: A 22-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly raping and kidnapping an underage girl.
Police said that Sahil Sheikh and the girl, aged 14 years, were traced in Mumbai, two months after he lured her to the neighbouring State. Sources told Herald that the girl’s father had lodged a complaint against Sheikh, on October 7, for kidnapping his daughter, after which a probe was launched to trace the victim.
“During the investigation, it was found that he was hiding in Mumbai along with the girl. We brought him to Goa on Friday evening and placed him under arrest,” the source said.
It is learnt that the accused, employed at an automobile showroom was recently removed from the job for alleged misappropriation of funds. He had befriended the victim and planned the escape.
A native of Sanvordem, he was living with his grandmother at St Inez. The police said that Sheikh, booked for kidnapping, rape and relevant Sections of POCSO Act and GCA, has been remanded to seven days custodial interrogation.
