PANAJI
Pernem police inspector Dattaram Raut, facing allegations of refusing to register a First Information Report (FIR) into a case of assault and molestation at a retreat centre - frequented by high-profile Indian and international guests - has proceeded on leave, sparking controversy.
In a further blow to their pursuit of justice, the Delhi-based couple Vivek and Pramila Dewan further alleged that police higher-ups are too reluctant to provide any sort of assistance to retrieve their belongings from the property despite proof they were forcibly evicted by a group of assailants led by one Baburao Mandrekar.
“Why is no police officer helping us? If we go (to the property) without police support, I fear being molested and assaulted again… Even my husband’s passport is lying in our bedroom. We are homeless and now, also being deprived of collecting my personal belongings,” Pramila lamented as she wrote to Director General of Police Jaspal Singh, Superintendent of Police (North) Nidhin Valsan and the PI narrating her ordeal afresh.
The couple, who have been running the ‘Samata Retreat Centre,’ in Arambol since 2014, also accused the police of declining ‘Pink Force’ protection.
Last month, Pramila approached the Pernem police to lodge a complaint about the assault at their leased property.
Failing to get an FIR registered despite evidence and reminders, she sought the assistance of the Women PS claiming that armed goons trespassed into her property, dragged her out of the bathroom and assaulted her and her husband in public.
But with the sensitive matter being handled insensitively, the couple simultaneously sought directions from the National Commission for Women whose senior research officer on May 3 ‘requested’ the police to ensure appropriate action and submit a report within 15 days.
Pramila claimed that the Pernem PI had refused to register the FIR and warned her to distance herself from the matter given that the goons are “politically connected.”
The other police units have also refrained from providing any assistance, she said.
