PANAJI
The Court held that the there was no evidence on record to show that the accused had brought the minor girls for the purpose of prostitution. The prosecution also failed to prove that the girls were made available to any customers and that one of
the girls was abused by the accused.
The case was investigated by Margao Town inspector Sudesh Naik and was argued on behalf of the state by public prosecutor Neeta Marathe. Defence counsel Anoop Kudtarkar argued on behalf of the accused.
Fernandes was arrested by Margao Town police on April 11, 2014 after a raid was conducted at Hotel Shezar at Khareband, Margao and four girls were rescued. Of these, two were minor girls from Mumbai and they were sent to Apna Ghar, Merces, for protective care.
Fernandes was booked for trafficking, rape under IPC and section 8(2) of Goa Children’s Act, 2003 for grave sexual assault.
As per the case of prosecution, Fernandes brought two minor girls from Mumbai for the purpose of prostitution and had kept them in one room of hotel. He then allegedly sexually abused one of the minor girls, who were rescued by the Margao Town Police with help of NGO Bailancho Saad. Hotel manager Lester Barreto and receptionist Anthony Raj, who were arrested for conspiracy, were discharged previously.
