‘Unnao-like’ harassment of Goa rape victim, claims NGO

Panaji, Aug 3 (IANS) Bailancho Saad, one of Goa's oldest women's rights non-government organisations (NGOs), has alleged "Unnao like" harassment of a rape victim by the police.

The allegation came after the rape victim on Saturday claimed that she was arrested earlier this week when she visited a police station to enquire about summons issued to her earlier.

"We cannot allow authorities in Goa to treat a complainant in the same way as the Unnao rape victim," NGO's convener Sabina Martins said here. The victim was also present at the press conference.

The victim alleged that she was verbally abused and kicked, when she went to the Mapusa police station in the North Goa district to enquire about summons issued to her by the police.

"I did not know what the summons were about. So when I went there. But I was abused and dragged to the police lock-up. I was not allowed to call my daughter, neither was I given my asthma medication. I had to strip myself in protest inside the lock-up to force them to give me my asthma pump," the victim said.

According to a police complaint filed at the Mapusa police station, the victim was raped in 2018. The accused is currently on bail. The summons were issued in connection with the ongoing criminal case.

While top police officers were unavailable for comment, according to a officer attached to the North Goa district police, the rape victim was arrested under sections 506 (criminal intimidation) and 353 (stopping government officer from discharging duty).

"She was displaying violent behaviour when she went to the police station and was trying to record the conversation with our officers and also issued threats to them," he said.