PANAJI
The Saligao police are taking the assistance of its counterparts in the State and the neighbouring districts to locate three individuals who have been accused in separate incidents of sexually exploiting two minors.
The accused persons are charged with impregnating their victims too. One of these girls recently migrated from Chhattisgarh to Goa with her family in search of employment. The police are verifying the government identity cards of the second victim as she claimed to be an adult while her parents have contradicted her statement.
“If required, an ossification test will be conducted to ascertain her age. For now, in both the FIRs, the accused are booked under stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code, Goa Children’s Act and the Prevention Of Children from Sexual Offenses Act,” an officer said.
In the first case, a student allegedly became pregnant approximately five months ago after forming a friendship with one of the accused individuals during her time at school. The situation came to light when her parents took her to the hospital for an abortion, and a concerned doctor promptly alerted the police.
The second case involves two accused individuals, namely Vashim and Ramesh, who sexually assaulted the underage victim around two months ago. According to the records, the victim befriended one of the accused, a vegetable vendor, who subsequently introduced her to his accomplice. Both perpetrators sexually assaulted the victim in March, resulting in her pregnancy. The victim is currently employed as a domestic helper in a residential area.
“The statements of the victims are being recorded, as they are familiar with the alleged perpetrators. We have alerted other police stations within the State as well as neighbouring states in case the accused have fled from Goa,” said an officer.
