Goa Police have arrested a 21-year-old Muslim man for stalking and raping a 16-year-old Hindu girl from Mormugao and later pressuring her to convert to Islam.
The minor told police that the accused threatened to circulate her compromising photographs, took her to Solapur and later Hospet, and continued to sexually assault and pressure her over religion.
Minor taken out of Goa
According to police, the case began after the girl went missing from Mormugao. The accused threatened to circulate her compromising photographs on social media and took her first to Solapur and later to Hospet in Karnataka.
Police initially registered a kidnapping case. The girl was eventually traced after she managed to obtain a phone and contacted police through her brother’s friend.
Rape and POCSO charges added
After the girl was rescued and her statement and medical examination were completed, Verna Police added rape charges and provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act to the FIR.
Verna Police Inspector Anand Shirodkar confirmed the addition of the charges, according to the Times of India report.
In her statement, the minor alleged that the accused continued to threaten her and force her into sexual activity. She told police that she had become pregnant four times and alleged that the accused subsequently began pressuring her to convert to Islam.
Minor alleges pressure to abandon Hindu practices
The girl told investigators that the accused pressured her to stop practising Hindu dharma. She alleged that she was told not to wear a bindi or kumkum and was made to wear a black dupatta and cover her face.
She also alleged that she was prevented from visiting temples or participating in Hindu rituals and was told that she could visit a mosque if she wanted to pray.
According to her statement, she once brought small pictures of Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Kali into the room. She alleged that the accused became angry and burnt the picture of Goddess Lakshmi.
Fake Aadhaar allegation
The survivor also alleged that the accused and one of his friends prepared a fake Aadhaar card by changing her name.
She further told police that the accused’s mother and sister advised him to remain hidden for two years and marry the girl after she turned 18. She also alleged that the accused would lock her inside the room when he went to work.
Visit to dargah
The minor further alleged that the accused took her to a dargah, where they stayed for two days, and made her wear a tabeez.
Police later traced her after she managed to contact them using a phone obtained during her confinement, according to the report.
The allegations are now being investigated by Goa Police, including the claims of sexual assault, kidnapping, religious coercion, confinement and the alleged preparation of a fake Aadhaar card.
The accused has been arrested and the case is proceeding under applicable criminal and child-protection laws. The allegations remain allegations until established through the judicial process.
The identity of the minor has not been disclosed, in accordance with legal protections for child survivors of sexual offences.
