Sex assault in Calangute police station: Assam woman; no proof, say Goa police

Panaji: Goa police ordered an inquiry on Friday following allegations by a 24-year-old Assamese woman of physical and sexual assault by unidentified police personnel at the Calangute police station. However, inspector general of police (IGP) Omvir Singh stated that the surveillance camera recordings at the station contradict her accusations.

“I have ordered a detailed inquiry under the SP SPCR (state police control room), and in case she is misleading police, action will be taken against her as per the law,” Singh told TOI. “I have asked the SP to submit the report within 72 hours. The SP SPCR is a woman police officer, and she will conduct the inquiry under the supervision of DIG range.”

The woman arrived in Goa on Thursday from Mumbai in search of a job. That evening, she went to the beach. She alleged that instead of giving her a soft drink as ordered, a shack served her beer.

She alleged that she became unconscious after she fell amid a fight between two persons, and when she woke up, she was at the police station. She also alleged that she was physically and sexually assaulted at the police station by unknown police personnel.

“From the time she was brought to the police station till she left, her entire conduct at the police station has been recorded by CCTV cameras, but there is no evidence to support her claim of physical and sexual assault,” Singh said. “The CCTV footage has been checked by senior officers.”

Singh said a call had been received by the police control room (PCR) about a person creating a ruckus at a shack at Calangute. Singh said police immediately reached the spot and brought the woman to the police station.

He said that as there was a simultaneous call, the woman was brought to the police station and the PCR van returned to attend to the other call. Singh said police made at least four calls for an ambulance for the woman, but it arrived late.

“She was shifted to GMC for medical examination and treatment,” Singh said.

The IGP said that earlier, she had made a similar claim in Mumbai and alleged a sexual assault on her by unknown police personnel.