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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Indian national killed in Abu Dhabi after missile debris falls in populated area
Abu Dhabi: An Indian national was killed and another injured after debris from an intercepted ballistic missile fell in a populated area of Abu Dhabi on Thursday, authorities said.
The incident occurred on Sweihan Street after air defence systems were activated to neutralise an incoming missile. While the projectile was intercepted, fragments from it fell to the ground, causing casualties and damaging several vehicles.
Officials confirmed that, besides the Indian victim, a Pakistani national was also killed in the incident. Among the injured were nationals of the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.
In a post on X, the Abu Dhabi Media Office said the deaths occurred following the fall of debris after the successful interception of a ballistic missile by air defence systems.
Emergency teams were deployed to the site to assist the injured and clear the debris. Authorities said the situation was brought under control and an investigation is underway.
The latest incident takes the number of Indian nationals killed in the ongoing Middle East conflict to at least seven.
According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, the country’s air defence systems have intercepted hundreds of aerial threats since the escalation began, including 372 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,826 unmanned aerial vehicles.
The ministry said 169 people have been injured since the start of attacks attributed to Iran, with injuries ranging from minor to severe. It reiterated that the country remains prepared to counter threats and safeguard national security.
