Goa sex scandal in which councillor's son has been arrested has more than 100 victims: Cong leader
Panaji, Mar 28 (PTI): Goa Congress chief Amit Patkar on Saturday claimed the sex scandal in which the son of a councillor is an accused involves more than 100 minor victims and that the police were initially reluctant to register a case.
Soham (20), son of Sushant Naik, a member of Curchorem Municipal Council in south Goa, was arrested on March 21 in four cases filed under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, Goa Children's Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act for allegedly raping minor girls, filming their obscene videos and circulating them.
Addressing a press conference during a protest march organised by the Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee, Patkar alleged, "The number of victims exceeds 100. The accused had been perpetrating the crime for the last three years. This sex scandal is much bigger than what it is being made out to be."
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Patkar claimed the minor girls are from places like Curchorem, Margao, Vasco da Gama and Ponda, adding there is an urgent need to provide counselling to victims to ensure they do not take any extreme step under pressure.
"The accused turned 21 this week. It means he was involved in the crime since he was 17-18. The Curchorem police were initially reluctant to register the case and did so only after pressure from local residents. Why have Goa State Women's Commission, Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and state education department not swung into action as yet," he questioned.
When contacted, an official of the Crime Branch, which is investigating the case, said three girls have come forward so far with complaints.
"Efforts are underway to encourage more victims to file complaints. The exact number of victims can be ascertained only after the investigation is completed," the official added.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
