Deleted photos, videos recovered in Curchorem sex scandal case

PANAJI

Forensic experts have recovered deleted videos and photographs from the mobile phone of the accused, Soham Naik, potentially giving fresh momentum to the Curchorem sex scandal investigation and raising the possibility of new complainants and additional criminal cases.

The material, recovered from a handset seized in connection with the first FIR, is now being closely examined by the Crime Branch (CB), which is probing all five FIRs against the son of BJP-backed councillor Sushant Naik.

Officials have not ruled out the registration of fresh FIRs if the recovered evidence points to previously unidentified victims.

“All the evidence will be examined thoroughly. If it leads us to new victims, we will trace them and record their statements as well. The registration of any new FIRs will depend on the evidence and the statements of the complainants and/or victims,” the source told The Goan.

The forensic findings, sources further said, are unlikely to remain confined to the first case alone. With significant overlap in the allegations across the five FIRs already registered against Naik, the CB teams expect the recovered digital evidence could also be used to strengthen the remaining four cases.

The fresh evidence assumes even greater significance as the CB has moved deeper into the “critical phase” of the investigation after the receipt of the long-awaited forensic analysis report from the Verna Forensic Science Laboratory.

Along with the recovered videos and photographs, the report is understood to contain detailed logs of calls, text messages and WhatsApp exchanges sent and received by Naik during the period relevant to the alleged offences.

The digital trail has assumed added importance after Naik was recently granted interim anticipatory bail in one of the five cases. While the victims’ statements have been recorded before the magistrate, in one of the cases, the teenager has maintained that Naik was only a friend and moved an intervention plea supporting his anticipatory bail.