Curchorem sex scandal: Goa councillor’s son accused of recording, posting obscene videos of minors online; 3 new survivors narrate ordeal

PANAJI: Three new survivors have come forward before the crime branch of Goa police to narrate the incident in connection with the alleged sex scandal case of Curchorem. So far, crime branch has identified a total of five survivors, and three first information reports have been registered against 20-year-old Soham Naik at Cacora, whose father is a councillor of the Curchorem Cacora Municipality.

The crime branch team conducted the panchanama at the residence of the accused and collected the evidence. A senior police officer said that the modus operandi of the accused was to befriend the survivor and then take their advantage.

DGP Alok Kumar on Thursday said that a “fair and prompt” investigation will be done in the case and there shouldn’t be any doubt about it.

Police said that based on the outcome of the investigation, more arrests are likely in the case.

When asked if any more arrests will be done in the case, Kumar said that it is part of the investigation and if there are major developments, then there could be a possibility. Kumar said that the case has been transferred to the crime branch considering its sensitivity, focus of investigation and confidentiality of survivors.

Two separate police inspectors are investigating the case and statements are being recorded. Police are collecting electronic evidence in the case and trying to identify whether any more victims targeted in the case.

The alleged sex scandal case, which was being investigated by the local police, was on Tuesday transferred to the crime branch. Crime branch recorded the statements of three survivors and is in the process of recording statements of two more survivors.

The investigation has revealed that, at the time of the incidents, both the accused and the survivors were minors. The development comes days after Curchorem police arrested Naik, a resident of Madhegal, Cacora, on alleged charges of sexually exploiting several minor victims, recording their obscene videos and circulating it on the internet.

Soham, whose father Sushant Naik is a councillor of the Curchorem Cacora Municipal Council, was arrested following a public uproar, with locals gathering outside the police station on Sunday evening, demanding immediate action.