On 25th July 2021, Sunday late night, two minor girls were gang-raped by four men on Benaulim Beach which is reported to be situated around 30km on the south from Panaji capital of Goa. According to the police officials of Goa, a group of 6 boys and 4 girls out of which 2 of them are reported to be 2 teenage girls and boys went to the Benaulim beach on Sunday at around 11:30 PM. Due to the stormy weather, most of the boys and girls left the beach early, however, 2 minor girls including 3 boys still remained intact at the beach.
Benaulim Gangrape Case
At around 3:30 AM, the teenage girl along with the boys advanced to their car, however at the same time, the 21-year old Asif Hateli who is reported to a housing board-Margao, 33-year old Rajesh Mane, 31-year old, Gajanand Chinchanker and 19-year old Nitin Yabbal, all residing from Zariwadi Davorlim appeared on the spot. As per the statement given by one of the minor boys, the men were carrying a stick with them and as posed as policemen. For no cause, the accused men threatened to arrest them.
The ministration of accused men did not stop there, as they slapped the 3 boys who were accompanying the 2 girls and later threw liquor into the eyes of one of the boys, followed by molestation. It has been reported that one of the accused dragged on the two minor girls into the car, however, the girl somehow managed to escape to the beach by opening the car door. Teh 14-year old teenage girl was, however, were captured by those men, who later dragged her to an isolated place along the shore and raped her.
Meanwhile, another victim girl was dragged by one of the accused men to an isolated area, where, she was raped by him. On Sunday afternoon, one of the boys got a call from the accused demanding a payment of Rs. 40,000 by end of July month, while the boy was asked to pay another Rs. 25000 after the following month. The accused men threatened the boys and girls that if they did not pay the said amount in the specified time frame, they will bear the consequence, as they will release the photos of the incident on social media.
However, the two teenage girls decided to file a complaint against them in the police station. Later, the Colva Police registered a case against the same and in that context has arrested the men, one of whom has been identified by the survivor minor boy. The men are charged under several sections of the Indian Penal code (IPC), POCSO Act and Goa’s’s Children Act.
The Colva police inspector, Anand Shirodkar has reassured the victim, that the investigation is underway and they will do their very best to serve justice to the victim. Meanwhile, the Goa CM, Pramod Sawant’s remark have certainly triggered everyone including the opposition party who are demanding his resignation. Sawant made a nasty comment in the Assembly, in which he was seen blaming the parent for allowing their kids to step out late at night.
