PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has quashed the First Information Report (FIR) against Kukesh Rauta, accused in the alleged sextortion and obscene video morphing case involving Congress MLA Carlos Ferreira.
However, the court has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on Rauta, directing him to deposit the amount in the Police Welfare Fund.
The accused had moved the Court seeking to quash the FIR, citing that the matter had been amicably settled. During the hearing, the prosecution opposed the plea, arguing that quashing the FIR would not be in the interest of the social fabric and that prosecuting the accused would serve as a strong deterrent against such crimes.
However, the petitioner contended that since the matter was settled, the case would not result in a conviction.
Taking both arguments into account, the High Court ordered the quashing of the FIR but imposed the penalty on Rauta.
Ferreira had lodged a complaint against Rauta in December 2024 with the Crime Branch, alleging that the Odisha native had misused their acquaintance to gain access to sensitive information, including his bank accounts and election affidavit.
The MLA alleged that Rauta, 34, had not only morphed Ferreira’s identity into vulgar content but also demanded Rs 5 crore, of which Rs 55,000 was allegedly extorted.
He was arrested soon after the complaint and brought to Goa for further investigation. Reports also indicate that Rauta had allegedly confessed to extorting Rs 5 lakh before the filing of the case.
