VASCO
Vasco Police on Monday arrested a 32-year-old Muslim cleric from Baina on charges of molesting a 15-year-old girl.
According to Vasco Police, the mother of the minor girl filed a complaint stating that the accused cleric, Sarfaraz Ahmed, allegedly molested her daughter on February 15.
The complainant stated that the victim after reaching home informed her that the accused molested her when she had gone to collect her tiffin box from the classroom of a Madrasa, where she is studying.
The victim’s mother further stated that the incident was brought to the notice of her elder son, who along with the neighbours confronted the accused, who confessed to the crime and apologised in writing and assured to leave the area.
Police said the mother on February 21 contacted NGO Savera in-charge Tara Kerkar and accordingly filed police complaint against the accused.
Acting on the complaint, the police arrested the accused Ahmed under Sections 354, 354 (A), Section 8 (ii) of Goa Children’s Act and Section 8 of Prevention of Children for Sexual Offence Act and is investigating the case.
Speaking to the media, Kerkar said the incident was brought to her notice by the victim's mother and accordingly recorded the statement before the Vasco Police. “After recording the statement, the police registered the complaint and arrested the cleric,” said Kerkar.
