PANAJI
Amidst Goa Police’s alleged disregard to register a complaint concerning assault and molestation in an incident that unfolded in Arambol earlier this month, the National Commission for Women (NCW), Delhi has stepped in, instructing the local police to ensure appropriate action and submit a report within 15 days.
The matter pertains to a long-standing property dispute between a group of locals allegedly led by one Baburao Mandrekar, and the victim Pramila Dewan who runs a holistic retreat centre in partnership with her husband Vivek. This civil disagreement turned into a criminal matter when the Delhi-based couple, in their late 50s, were brutally assaulted within the sanctity of their own premises with a similar incident reported last year too. The couple has alleged that both the Pernem and Women’s police have refused to acknowledge the severity of the allegations.
Disappointed with police inaction, Pramila approached the NCW detailing the ordeal and seeking ‘severe punishment’ for the culprits. “We believe that Pernem PI is fully supporting the culprits and has deliberately scuttled the proceedings and thwarted all our attempts to seek justice. Moreover, the main culprit Pandu Parsekar is already named in two previous FIRs. He is currently on conditional bail,” Pramila stated in her complaint to the NCW on May 3.
On May 2, Pramila approached the Women PS alleging that some armed goons trespassed into her property, dragged her out of the bathroom and assaulted the couple. Pramila charged the Pernem Police Inspector with “refusing” to register an FIR and warning her to distance herself from the matter given that the goons are “politically connected.”
With Women PS also allegedly sidelining the issue, the complainant sought NCW’s intervention.
In its email communiqué to the Office of Superintendent of Police (North Goa) on Monday, senior research officer of the NCW, Ashutosh Pande requested the police to take prompt action and submit a report within a fortnight. “The present complaint pertains to the alleged assault/ harassment/ outraging modesty of women/ threat to life/ violence against women. You are therefore requested to look into the matter and take appropriate action in accordance with the law. The action taken in the matter may please be communicated to the Commission within 15 days from the date of receipt of this letter,” it stated.
The business couple and one Ashish Pandey, all of whom are the trustees of Dunagiri Foundation, had taken a plot on a long-term lease from Mandrekar in 2010. Pramila claimed that the trustees registered the property in the Mamlatdar office at Pernem in 2014 for a 30 years lease after which it was accordingly developed. The construction was styled as Samata Retreat Centre, providing yoga and alternative healing.
The complainant stated that the problem arose when Pandu Parsekar was arrested for some crimes and after his release, provoked Mandrekar against allowing the operations of the centre.
