Mapusa : The Colvale police have arrested a 59-year old man Paul Fonseca for allegedly sexually assaulting and harassing an 11-year-old boy in Bardez taluka.
After committing the act, the accused threatened the boy with dire consequences, if he disclosed the incident to anyone, the police said.
Speaking to mediapersons at the Colvale police station, the accused, however, claimed that he did not commit any offence.
The police on Wednesday registered an offence following a complaint from the 11-year-old boy’s mother and arrested the accused.
According to the police, the accused allegedly took the boy to his house and sexually assaulted him. Fonseca later took him to the Thivim railway station.
On getting to know about the suspicious movement of the accused with the boy, the Konkan Railway police questioned Fonseca, who failed to give any satisfactory reply.
Accordingly, the man was detained and the boy was rescued.
Later, the minor was counselled with the help of an NGO, whereupon the traumatised boy narrated his ordeal.
Following this, the accused was handed over to the Colvale police for investigation.
Since the crime took place under the jurisdiction of the Colvale police, the case was referred to them by the railway police.
The Colvale police registered an offence on the basis of a written complaint filed by the mother under the provisions of the BNS, the Goa Children’s Act, as also the POCSO Act.
The NGO said the accused used to allegedly lure children, especially from underprivileged families, to his house with bike rides, chocolates, and gifts and then commit the crime.
The victim was sent for a medical examination and the accused was placed under arrest.
The police have also referred the matter to the child welfare committee formed to take necessary steps for care and protection of victims.
The police are exploring all angles in the case.
