PANAJI
The Judicial Magistrate will on October 25 hear a plea that challenged Panaji police’s “A final summary” report regarding a 2019 complaint about escort websites and sought the Court's directions for a thorough probe.
The complainant, Goa Women’s Forum alleged improper investigation into claims of Goa being promoted as a sex tourism destination through various escort services websites on the internet and social media platforms.
“The GWF took up this issue in public interest keeping in mind the reputation of women mainly the housewives and college girls of Goa who are being portrayed as available for commercial sex services in the State… These Escort Service websites are encouraging Sex Tourism within Panaji and the entire State,” complainant Lorna Fernandes said.
The complaint, which was originally filed with the Corporation of the City of Panaji was forwarded to the Panaji PS after which a First Information Report was registered.
However, the GWF expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation process stating they were never given the opportunity to present their comments to the Investigating Officer or the Police Inspector.”
“It is unacceptable for the IO and the PI to say that they had written to the Cyber Crime Police Station of the Goa Police and as they have not heard back from them... A follow-up letter or a visit to the Cyber Crime Police Station should have been undertaken as a follow-up to this investigation, which was not done (before filing the A final summary),” it said urging the Court to grant closure and refer the case back to the Panaji PS for thorough investigation or transfer it to the Cyber Crime Police Station.
The hearing, earlier scheduled for Wednesday, has been adjourned to October 25.
