Accused blames teenager for daughter’s death
Pernem: A 17-year-old boy was attacked with an acid-like substance while waiting at a bus stop along the national highway 66 at Sukekolan, Dhargalim on Monday morning. The Pernem police acted swiftly, arresting the accused within 10 hours of the assault.
According to the police, the attack was premeditated. The accused, identified as Nilesh Desai (46), a resident of Kalne village in Dodamarg, Maharashtra, attacked the teenage boy over a suspected love affair involving his daughter and the victim.
The accused confessed to the crime and disclosed that he attacked the boy as his daughter had died one month back and the Sindhudurg police are investigating the said unnatural death case.
Furthermore the accused alleged that the teenage boy was linked to the death of his daughter as they were in a relationship, the police said.
The teenager, a college student from Dhargal and originally from Ozari village in Pernem taluka, sustained severe burn injuries, including serious injuries to the right side of his face.
He was initially rushed to the North District Hospital in Mapusa before being referred to Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC) in Bambolim, where he is currently undergoing treatment.
The incident occurred after 7:45 am, shortly after the victim’s father had dropped the teenager at the bus stop. Within minutes, black colour liquid was thrown at the boy.
The police said the attacker arrived on a scooter, carrying the black liquid in a bucket and a mug, which he threw at the teenager.
Burnt belongings—including the victim’s clothes, college bag, umbrella, and water bottles—were found scattered nearly 50 metres from the site; sources said the boy had run in distress seeking help.
The victim managed to inform his father about the attacker’s identity while being ferried to the hospital. This crucial information enabled the police to trace the attacker quickly.
The accused reportedly returned to work at a private company in IDC Karaswada as a sweeper immediately after committing the crime. He was apprehended from his workplace by a Pernem police team, with assistance from the Mandrem and Mapusa police.
The black liquid used in the attack is suspected to have been taken from the company, where the accused works.
Superintendent of police (North) Rahul Gupta visited the incident site, where forensic experts and a dog squad were deployed. The forensic team collected samples of the liquid for analysis and lifted fingerprints from the bucket and the mug used in the attack.
Based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father Umesh Shetye, an FIR was registered at the Pernem police station under sections 124(1), 109 of the BNS and Section 8(2) of the Goa Children’s Act.
The police also seized the articles and the liquid used to attack the victim.
The Pernem police seized the two-wheeler used for committing the crime, Gupta said.
PSI Sahil Naik is investigating the case under the supervision of PI Sachin Lokre and overall supervision of SDPO, Pernem, Salim Shaikh and Rahul Gupta.
