------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre Ph:2252660 Website: www.goadesc.org Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Press Clippings on the web: http://www.goadesc.org/mem/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------- 2 held for sexual exploitation of minor girl ----------------------------------------------------- The crime branch of the state police has swung into action after receiving a complaint from a 14-year-old minor girl regarding sexual harassment to her and arrested two persons from Mapusa for alleged sexual exploitation today.
The names of the arrested persons are Francisco Fernandes and Avelino Pinto. Avelino is the owner of the Tall Bar situated on the by-pass at Peddem, Mapusa. Both have been remanded to 7 days' police custody.
The police have booked the first case under the new Goa Children's Act, which came into force recently besides under the Indian Pneal Code against these arrested persons. The cases have been booked under sections 376, 354 of the IPC and Section 8(2) of the Goa Children's Act.
The superintendent of police (crime), Mr Muktesh Chander when contacted said the police had collected material besides recording the statement of the minor girl, who was staying along with her mother in the bar. The mother of the girl was working as a domestic servant in the bar.
The police are verifying other activities of the arrested persons in Mapusa as the police have received more information on them. Sources in the police said the police had recovered obscene photographs of the minor girl, besides blue films, from the bar. The girl was sent for medical examination and the sources confirmed receiving the report that the minor was raped.
The victim in her complaint to the Mapusa police has said that she was sexually harassed from January onwards. The case being of serious nature, was handed over to the crime branch late last night. The crime branch has also recorded the statement of the victim and her mother.
The victim has also mentioned the names of the other victims of sexual harassment and the police are verifying on this angle. The victim in her complaint said that her mother was initially employed as a maid in Francisco's house and later Francisco had given her work at Avelino's bar.Both the victim and her mother have been given police protection.
Meanwhile, the Bailancho Saad has alleged that some people are bringing pressure on the mother and the victim that they should not reveal anything to the police.
Ms Sabina Martins of the Saad said that her organisation has decided to provide helping hand to the victim and also rehabilitate this poor mother and her minor daughter. ------------------------------------------------------ The Navhind Times 13/10/03 page 1 -----------------------------------------------------
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