PANAJI
Sexual assault cases in Goa have surged by nearly 19 per cent in the first five and a half months of 2025, with disturbing patterns emerging from police data -- from victimisation of minors to the rape of a 90-year-old bedridden woman.
Women’s rights activists have hit out at the criminal justice system, citing a considerable delay in taking the cases ahead, rising threats to survivors, and a breakdown in deterrence and accountability.
Between January 1 and June 15 this year, 54 cases of sexual assault were registered by Goa Police -- a sharp 18.59 percent rise from the 44 cases during the same period in 2024. North Goa reported the highest number of cases at 32, followed by South Goa with 18 and the Women’s Police Station with four whereas 2024’s corresponding period saw 21 cases registered in North Goa, 16 in South Goa and seven at the Women’s Police Station.
Among the most shocking was the alleged rape of a 90-year-old woman by a 50-year-old man. Colvale police, who arrested the accused, said the crime came to light when he returned to the house and was caught in the act by the survivor’s daughter.
According to police, the elderly woman, who lived alone, had earlier confided in her visiting granddaughter that she had been sexually assaulted.
When the victim’s daughter rushed to the house, she found a naked man attempting to attack her bedridden mother again. The accused fled into nearby bushes but was later arrested. He was identified as a former overseas technician now living alone after being abandoned by his wife.
In another case, Colva police booked 24-year-old Akash Lamani for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a minor girl since November 2021. Police said Lamani repeatedly assaulted the girl under the pretext of marriage and later threatened her when she resisted.
While police claim a 96.29 percent detection rate with investigations completed in 52 of the 54 cases this year, activists insist that ground realities are grim and the “system is not moving.”
“The high detection rate doesn’t mean justice is being delivered. In many cases, trials have dragged on for years and even a decade.
Survivors are forced to relive the trauma every time they are summoned, while accused persons or their families often file counter complaints to intimidate victims into silence in other cases,” educator and activist Sabina Martins said.
Citing a particularly gruesome case where a victim’s private parts were stuffed with chilli powder by the accused over a property dispute, Martins said the trial is dragging for 10 years. “What’s the point of registering cases if convictions are not happening? We are only collecting statistics but justice remains a distant dream,” she slammed.
ARZ Founder Arun Pandey echoed the frustration, stating that the criminal justice system has failed to deter sexual violence. “Wherever there are men, sexual violence happens. The behaviour of men must change. But today, the system is not ensuring fear of the law. Speedy trials and increased conviction rates are absolutely essential,” he said.
Pandey stressed that unless courts deliver timely justice, survivors will continue to suffer and perpetrators will feel emboldened.
Martins added that survivors are being re-victimised not just by delays, but also by structural gaps. “Nothing is being done to reduce the vulnerability of women who live alone. What prevention steps are being taken? Where is the public awareness, the emergency response or fear of the law,” she questioned.
Another women rights activist sought “proactive intervention” of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and relevant authorities to ensure prevention and appropriate action.
“Such attacks have become social evil, which needs to be tackled tactfully using the existing laws. The education system should also stress respecting women while projecting women as a substance to enjoy should also be stopped. There should be more awareness amongst the girls and also similarly amongst boys when they are in their teenage years. Parents can also play an important role in carving the good character of their child. It is also a social responsibility that we together should speak against such evil,” the activist said.
