Goa gangrape: All three accused tourists arrested
Panaji, May 26: Goa Police on Saturday arrested three persons in connection with a gang-rape at the popular Colva beach late on Friday night, even as a Goa Minister has bemoaned the quality of tourists visiting the coastal state.
The three accused-tourists from Indore have been charged with robbing and gang-raping a 20-year-old girl late on Friday, while she was visiting Colva beach along with her 22-year-old boyfriend.
"All three accused have been arrested. Two accused Sanjiv Dhananjay Pal, 23, and Ram Santosh Bhartiya, 19, both from Indore were arrested early on Saturday morning. The third accused Vishwas Makrana, 24, also from Indore was picked up from a railway station in South Goa later today," Superintendent of Police (South Goa) Arvind Gawas told reporters.
The victim, who hails from a nearby village, had also claimed that the sexual assault was filmed by the alleged rapists and she was warned by them against informing the police.Police have said that medical examination of the victim has confirmed rape.
An FIR was filed late on Friday at Colva police station under sections 376 (rape) and 394 (robbery) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Following the arrest of the third accused, Town and Country Planning Minister Vijai Sardesai in a tweet complimented police for the swift investigation, while also bemoaning the quality of tourists coming to Goa.
"A case of blackmail, rape and robbery by 'tourists'! I have always stressed that quality of tourists should be our focus! Only then can #Goa be safe and forward!" Sardesai said.
Some months ago, Sardesai had courted controversy after he said that a majority of the domestic tourists coming to Goa were "scum of the earth".
Goa, a top beach and lifestyle tourism designation in the country, attracts more than seven million tourists every year, out of which half a million are foreigners.
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Meerut Police to issue 'red card' notices to 100 'troublemakers' ahead of Eid
Meerut (UP) (PTI): Ahead of Eid, the Meerut Police have identified around 100 individuals as potential law and order concerns and plan to issue them "red card" notices, an official said on Saturday.
Cases have previously been registered against these individuals on charges of causing disturbances or creating tense situations during festivals, they said.
A red card notice is primarily a preventive tool used to identify, track, and deter criminals and troublemakers.
Senior Superintendent of Police Avinash Pandey told PTI that in order to ensure a peaceful Eid, coordination with all Islamic clerics and mosque management committees has been established.
He said that officials have held discussions with the management of the district's 544 mosques and 146 Eidgahs, and all of them have given assurances that prayers will not be offered on the roads under any circumstances.
The SSP also refuted reports which had quoted him as stating that the passports of those offering prayers on roads or violating regulations would be revoked.
He clarified that no such new directive has been issued by the administration.
However, Pandey added that if any individual violates the law, strict action will certainly be taken against them.
Superintendent of Police (City) Ayush Vikram Singh told PTI that records from the past five years of individuals involved in creating disputes or tense situations during festivals have been reviewed.
Red card notices will be issued to approximately 100 such people, he said.
He noted that individuals from any religious background could be included in this list.
He explained that the notices would serve as a warning that if any attempt is made to disrupt the atmosphere during or around the time of Eid.
A case will be registered against the concerned individual, and strict action will be taken. If deemed necessary, measures may also be initiated under the National Security Act (NSA).
According to police, during Eid last year, an incident involving a scuffle with the police -- stemming from the breaking of barricades and offering of prayers on the roads -- was reported within the jurisdiction of the Railway Road police station area.
In this case, a complaint was registered against around 55 individuals, some of whom are likely to be served with the red card notice.
