Cong demands justice for minors, flags delay in FIR, official inaction
PANAJI
The Goa government has come under mounting criticism over the alleged sex scandal in Curchorem, in which Soham Naik, the son of a BJP-backed councillor, has been linked to a series of offences against minors.
As outrage grows, the Congress party on Saturday led a protest march in Panaji, demanding protection, privacy and justice for the victims and their families.
The rally, held by the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) and joined by Mahila Congress workers, sharpened the political confrontation, with opposition leaders accusing the ruling party of shielding the accused.
The protest were also directed at BJP State President Damu Naik, whose remarks urging consideration of the “mental condition” of the accused’s parents drew a fierce backlash. Congress workers described the statement as “insensitive”, questioning the focus on the accused’s family rather than the victims.
“One person is accused, but what about the 30 victims and their families? Are you protecting him because he is politically connected?” Pratiksha Khalap, president of the Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress, said.
She stated that if people had not raised their voices, this case would have been buried.
The Congress further alleged a broader pattern of neglect, pointing to a rise in crimes against women in the State. Khalap stated that, on average, Goa records two murders and nine rapes each month.
“These are just the cases that come to light. There are many more that go unreported,” she said.
Party leaders also criticised statutory bodies for failing to intervene. They said the Goa State Commission for Women, the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Directorate of Education had not visited Curchorem or initiated inquiries, despite earlier appeals.
“Authorities must take suo motu action. Commissions and the education department should reach schools, conduct counselling sessions and support children and families dealing with such trauma,” GPCC President Amit Patkar said.
Patkar further accused the police of inaction at the initial stage of the case, alleging that officers failed to register a First Information Report within the mandated 24-hour period after a complaint was filed. “The delay raises serious questions,” he said alleging, “There appears to have been pressure on the police.”
Over 100 minors may be victims, claims Cong
PANAJI: As the Crime Branch investigates the string of sexual abuse cases, the Congress on Saturday claimed that the scale of the scandal is far larger than officially known, with its State President Amit Patkar alleging that more than 100 minors may have been victimised.
The accused, Soham Naik, 20, the son of a councillor in the Curchorem Municipal Council, is booked in four cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the Goa Children’s Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Arrested on March 21, he is accused of sexually assaulting minor girls, recording explicit videos and circulating them.
“The number of victims exceeds 100. The accused had been perpetrating the crime for the last three years. This scandal is much bigger than what it is being made out to be,” Patkat said while addressing a press conference during a protest march.
He further claimed that the victims were from several Curchorem, Margao, Vasco and Ponda and called for urgent counselling support, to save the victims from severe emotional distress. Noting that the accused turned 21 this week, Patkar suggested that some of the alleged offences may have begun when he was still a minor.
The CB has not publicly responded to Congress’ claims regarding the number of victims or the allegation of delay in registering the case, but stated the probe is underway.
