MARGAO
The molestation case registered against the 77-year-old doctor took a new twist with the Margao police on Tuesday registering a FIR against a resident of Navelim, Digvijit Chawan for allegedly attempting to commit extortion.
Digvijit, however, termed as the allegations levelled against him as false and baseless, asserting that no attempt was made to extort money from the doctor.
The action by the Margao police comes following a complaint lodged by Pushker, son of the 77-year old doctor, who has alleged that on August 18, Digvijit Chawan had allegedly criminally trespassed into his father's clinic at Khareband, Margao and demanded Rs. 25 lakh.
Pushker further alleged that Digvijit wrongfully restrained his father in the clinic, further threatened him with dire consequences and further allegedly agreed to settle the matter for Rs 9 lakh or he would lodge a complaint of molestation against his father.
The Margao police has registered a case under 448, 341, 506 (ii) and 385 of IPC. Further investigation of the case is being conducted by PSI Vishwajit Dhavalikar.
Digvijit Chawan, however, said fake allegations has been levelled against him when he had gone to the clinic to question the doctor after the girl had complained of molestation. “Where is the question of trespass when we had gone to the clinic to question the doctor and later to the police station”, he said.
Saying the law will take its own course in the matter, Digvijit said he had only extended help to the girl how to go about the matter. “I believe in the law. I have done no wrong. When the government is saying 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padao', we have to support a girl, who had complained of alleged molestation”, he added.
Meanwhile, a group of citizens on Tuesday evening assembled near the clinic of the 77-year old doctor, to express their solidarity with the doctor.
Expressing surprise over the allegations of molestation levelled against the doctor, citizens pointed out that they had never come across such a behaviour from the doctor when they had gone to his clinic for treatment.
Social activist Anthony D’Silva hit out at the Margao police for mishandling the matter saying the police should be sensitive in handling cases involving religious persons and professionals.
