UNSAFE AND UNGUARDED: The front façade of the dilapidated Dempo Mansion, located opposite Mapusa municipal garden. The alleged sexual assault of the four-year-old girl took place at the rear of the abandoned premises. Agnelo Pereira
MAPUSA
The abandoned Dempo Mansion, where a four-year-old girl was allegedly sexually assaulted on Sunday night, is among the 49 buildings identified as unsafe and dilapidated within the Mapusa Municipal Council (MMC) limits, raising serious questions over the civic body's ability to secure hazardous structures in the town.
Located opposite the municipal garden at Mapusa's main town square, the building occupies a prominent spot in the heart of the town. Despite its central location, the premises had allegedly become an abandoned and secluded spot, providing an opportunity for the accused to take the child inside.
The Mapusa Municipal Council had previously issued a notice declaring the building dilapidated and unsafe, directing tenants and shopkeepers operating from the premises to vacate it.
However, the process of taking further action against the structure has reportedly been held up after three to four tenants approached the court and obtained a stay on the civic body's move.
Municipal sources said the interim relief obtained by the tenants had prevented the council from proceeding further, leaving the building in its existing condition.
The incident has now brought the issue of neglected and unsafe buildings in Mapusa into sharp focus, particularly the risks posed by structures that remain accessible despite being declared dilapidated.
Local residents felt that the tragedy might perhaps have been avoided had the authorities taken steps to barricade the premises and block access from all sides. They pointed out that restricting entry to the abandoned building would have made it difficult for anyone to use it as a secluded spot.
