Panaji: In a startling revelation, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee President Amit Patkar on Saturday claimed that the accused in the Curchorem sex scandal case has victimised more than 100 minor girls.
Addressing media persons during a protest march organised by the Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee, Patkar said that the number of victims exceeds 100 and that the accused had been perpetrating the crime for the last three years.
Curchorem Police had arrested Soham Naik, son of local councillor Sushant Naik, on March 21, accusing him of raping minor girls and recording and circulating obscene videos. The case is currently being investigated by the Goa Crime Branch. So far, three victims have filed complaints before the investigating officer.
Patkar said that the sex scandal is bigger than it is being made out to be. He said that they have learnt there are more than 100 victims involved in the case and that the exploitation was going on for the last three years. He added that these minor girls are from places like Curchorem, Margao, Vasco da Gama, and Ponda.
The Congress leader said that the accused turned 21 this week, which means he was allegedly involved in the crime when he was 17–18 years old.
Patkar alleged that Curchorem Police were initially reluctant to register the case and did so only after pressure from locals.
He also questioned why authorities such as the Goa State Women’s Commission, the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and the State Education Department had not swung into action.
Patkar said there is an urgent need to identify the victims and provide counselling to ensure they do not take any extreme steps under pressure.
When contacted, a senior Crime Branch official said that, so far, only three girls have come forward with complaints, and efforts are underway to encourage more victims to file complaints. He added that the exact number of victims can be ascertained only after the investigation is completed.
