the goan I network
PANAJI
The Goa State Commission for Women on Tuesday urged the Director General of Police to take stringent action against Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress president Pratima Coutinho on the issue of alleged disclosure of the identity of a minor molestation victim.
“Mahila president visited the victim with the media and also revealed the identity of the victim. Her actions are in absolute contravention of Sec 228 (A) of the Indian Penal Code as well as under Sec 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015,” said Women’s Commission chairperson Adv Shubhalakshmi Naik in the complaint.
Naik also expressed surprise that Coutinho, after revealing the photo and details of the victim on a social networking site, repeated the same act at Neturli, Sanguem on July 8.
“Take stringent action in the interest of protecting the dignity of women. And to deter such politically motivated publicity stunts at the expense of a victim’s pain and suffering in the future,” Adv. Naik urged in the letter.
Taking cognisance of the letter, Directorate General of Police Muktesh Chander has directed the Superintendent of Police to inquire into the complaint.
When asked, Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, Kartik Kashyap said that allegations against her are being inquired thoroughly as per law and Goa police will take necessary action.
Shiv Sena vice president Rakhi Naik has also complained against Coutinho. A complaint was also filed by NGO Savera on Monday in the Women’s Police Station.
“Tara Kerkar and two other NGO’s have complained against Pratima Coutinho alleging that she has disclosed the identity of the minor victim which is a cognisable offence under the POSCO Act and Children’s Act,” said Kashyap.
Shiv Sena vice president has also named the wife of opposition leader Savitri Kavlekar, Deputy Sarpanch of Netravali village Abhijeet Desai, Prakash Bhagat and Vithal Gaonkar and demanded action against them along with Coutinho.
