THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
A UP native has been arrested by Calangute police on charges of assaulting an 11-year-old girl, following a dispute involving his daughter.
The accused, identified as Gautam Verma, originally hailing from Uttar Pradesh but residing at Calangute, is facing multiple charges, including verbal abuse and physical assault on a minor.
The incident reportedly took place as the victim was travelling from Arpora to Mapusa in a school transport vehicle.
According to the complaint filed by the girl's father, Verma, along with his wife, allegedly confronted and assaulted the young girl, escalating a prior disagreement between their daughters.
The father of the victim stated that Verma and his wife slapped and verbally abused his daughter during the journey, apparently over an earlier altercation between the two children.
The parents of the accused took matters into their own hands, rather than allowing the school or authorities to address the conflict.
Calangute police swiftly responded to the complaint and arrested Verma under multiple sections of the law, including Section 352, 115 (2) r/w 3(5) BNS, which pertains to assault or use of criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation.
Verma was also charged under Section 8 (2) of the Goa Children's Act 2008, which specifically addresses the protection of minors from abuse and exploitation.
Calangute Police is investigating further.
