Naik was arrested late Sunday night after more than 200 citizens marched to the Curchorem Police Station demanding his immediate arrest. The protestors had also warned the police that they would stage an agitation and block roads in the town if action was not taken within 24 hours.
As public pressure continued to mount and the crowd outside the police station kept growing, police finally arrested the accused under Section 294 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 67A of the Information Technology Act.
Later on Monday, police added stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), including Sections 5, 7, 9, 11, and 15, following the visit of Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai and Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Amit Patkar to the Curchorem Police Station.
With the addition of the POCSO Act, the accused will now be produced before the Children’s Court as per legal procedure.
SANGUEM
The alleged sex scandal that has rocked Curchorem witnessed fresh developments on Monday morning with political leaders visiting the police station and demanding stricter legal action in the case.
Goa Forward Party leader Vijai Sardesai visited the Curchorem Police Station to take stock of the situation and interacted with police officials, amid mounting public pressure for a fair and transparent investigation.
Sardesai demanded that stringent sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, including Sections 5, 7, 9, 11, and 15, be invoked against the accused without delay. He warned that failure to do so could lead to further agitation.
The police initially seemed reluctant to invoke the Pocso Act, prompting Sardesai to call the DGP Alok Kumar. The police inspector then agreed to apply the POCSO Act.
Sardesai also questioned the silence of local MLA Nilesh Cabral, urging him to come forward and clarify his stand, stating that it was time for him to support the people in such a sensitive matter.
Sardesai further criticised the ruling BJP and questioned the police over the delay in initiating action. He also took aim at institutions such as the State Women’s Commission, Children’s Commission, and the Education Department, asking why they had remained silent despite allegations involving minors and women.
Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Amit Patkar, who also visited the police station along with Sardesai, strongly criticised both the BJP and the police, alleging attempts to hush up the matter.
He urged authorities to treat the case with utmost seriousness and to take stringent action against the accused, whose alleged actions have shocked the people of Curchorem.
Police officials have maintained that the investigation is ongoing and that all legal aspects are being carefully examined. While confirming the arrest of the accused, they have refrained from disclosing further details, citing the sensitive nature of the case.
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Accused remanded to 4-day police custody
SANGUEM: The Judicial Magistrate First Class at Quepem on Monday remanded 20-year-old accused Soham Naik, who was arrested by Curchorem Police in connection with the alleged sex scandal case, to four days of police custody.
The accused while being escorted by a police team.
