-- Samir Umarye BICHOLIM: Jagdeep Banawalikar (39) from Assanora, Bicholim has been taken into police custody on Friday in connection with the alleged rape of a 19-year-old girl from Advalpal in Bicholim.
On November 20, the victim who works at Karaswada industrial estate was waiting for a bus around 6 p.m., at Assanora-Pirna junction, when she was approached by the alleged accused on pretext of giving her a lift on his scooter and also told her that he was her brother’s friend. While on the way to Advalpal, he stopped his scooter near bushes and allegedly raped her. He later snatched her gold chain and fled from the scene, said Bicholim police. The victim narrated the incident to her family members. Thereafter her mother lodged a complaint with the police. After preliminary investigation, the police on Friday took the alleged accused into their custody for further interrogation, informed police inspector, Bicholim, Mr Harish Madkaikar. In another incident, a motorcycle-borne thief stopped on the pretext of offering lift to a woman from Sal who was waiting for a bus at a bus stop, snatched her gold chain and fled from the scene. The incident took place on November 25, between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. The victim later lodged a complaint with the police. Bicholim police have registered an offence against unknown persons and are on lookout for the accused. PSI, Mr Reetesh Tari is investigating the case.
