The uproar in Curchorem over what is labelled as a “sex scandal" has shaken the locality to its core, exposing deep-rooted issues of morality, political influence, police inefficiencies and the urgent need for accountability. A 20-year-old boy, son of a prominent councillor, is alleged to have filmed, photographed and circulated clips of several minor girls in the nude. It is also feared that the content may infiltrate through circulation.
The case has ignited a firestorm of public outrage due to the police's reluctance, which has been exacerbated by suspected political pulls. The police's muted response has hogged the spotlight, with people even threatening a “rasta roko”. Political leaders dialling the Director General of Police to seek the invocation of the POCSO Act is a testament to policing failing.
The police, after much persuasion, arrested the accused under relevant sections of the law, including the IT Act, the BNS, and the POCSO Act. The police have also identified multiple victims and are investigating claims of a larger sex racket involving minors, with preliminary evidence pointing to 15 other victims. While the wheels of law finally began to move, the gaps in enforcement have shaken the belief in policing and raised suspicion over investigations.
The question is, why did the police hesitate to act? Apparently, there are indications that it was a police constable who forwarded the clipping to a media person of a vernacular newspaper. Given the fact that the police were already in possession of the footage, prime facie proceedings should have been initiated against the accused. Proceedings should have also been initiated against this constable, and an inquiry conducted immediately. Protecting the vulnerable is a bounden duty of the men in khaki, not protecting the accused.
This incident should serve as a wake-up call that the girl child is still vulnerable. This is a grim reminder that society is failing to safeguard minors from sexual exploitation. Parents and schools need to do more to educate children and raise awareness about the subject and its consequences. In a Goa that is rapidly changing with foreign influences and with narcotics seeping deep into the rural fabric, there is a greater need to lay greater focus on this subject.
Now, here is the downside. While Goa has been boasting about a high detection rate comparable to the best in the country, its conviction rate has been dismal, especially in crimes against minor girls. Data of 2025 shows that under the POCSO Act, the majority of the trials have resulted in acquittals, while many others are pending. As of 2025, there are already 158 cases pending under the POCSO Act, with trials taking an average of 548 days per case.
A stray thought. While politicos have made their presence felt, the silence of the local MLA, Nilesh Cabral, when the villagers were fuming is deafening. Councillors are bound to have political strings attached, but this case is beyond all those alignments. Justice becomes a priority over everything else here.
While the law takes its course, this incident exposes broader societal issues that Goa is facing. The scars on the lives of Curchorem victims will take time to heal. For now, it is time for introspection, reform and action.
