Panaji (Goa), May 24:
The local police in Panaji arrested a man on the charge of assaulting and
raping a minor inmate at a shelter home for girls in Santa Cruz area.
According to local
police, the women’s police station in Panaji late last week arrested a man
Prince Aaron Golden in a case of sexual assault against one of the inmates of
the shelter home. The accused was running a shelter home for homeless girls in
Santa Cruz area of the state capital.
The state
government-backed Child Welfare Committee, the police said, had taken
cognizance of WhatsApp messages sent by the accused to 17-year old victim who
along with other inmates was residing in the shelter home.
Superintendent of
Police (Crime) Shobhit Saksena told media person that after the girl was
examined it was revealed that she had been sexually assaulted. Saksena
said the girl also narrated the ordeal she passed through adding that the
offence was registered and Golden was placed under arrest before the week
ended.
The police said that
the accused has been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual
Offences Act for non-penetrative assault and section 354 (assault or criminal
force to women with intent to outrage her modesty) and 354 A (sexual
harassment).
The Superintendent of
Police said that after the victim’s disclosure, the CWC examined the other
inmates of the shelter home too and they were moved to another shelter home by
the order of the CWC. According to police officers, while other inmates were
also being examined, so far there has been only one victim of sexual assault.
Sharing details of the
incident, the local police said that they received a complaint that a minor
girl was being sexually harassed at the shelter home and on the basis of the
complaint a case was registered under related sections of IPC, Juvenile Justice
Act and POCSO Act.
It said the victim assistance unit submitted screen shots of received chats and found it to be sexual in nature. A complaint has also been lodged with the director, Department of Women and Child Development for strong and early action against the accused.