NT Reporter
Panaji
The Crime Branch of Goa Police probing the Curchorem obscene videos scandal has traced the minor victim linked to the first FIR registered based on a media report.
Sources in the police stated that a Crime Branch team located the victim and recorded her statement in connection with the case. The team also conducted a search at the residence of the accused, Soham Naik (21), in Cacora on Thursday.
Director General of Police Alok Kumar stated that the investigation was transferred to the Crime Branch considering the sensitive nature of the case and the need to maintain confidentiality of the victims.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a programme at Kala Academy, Kumar stated that police are conducting a fair investigation.
“It is a sensitive matter, and whenever there is a sensitive matter like this, or there is a case where a lot of investigation has to be done, we usually give it to the Crime Branch because they do not have law and order duties. So they can focus on the investigation,” Kumar said.
He further stated that maintaining confidentiality of victims is critical.
“Keeping all these things in mind, the investigation has been handed over to the Crime Branch. I want to assure you that it is fair, just and prompt investigation,” he said.
On Tuesday, all three cases linked to the scandal were transferred from Curchorem Police to the Crime Branch in Ribandar. One case against Naik was registered based on a media report, while two FIRs were based on complaints filed by victims who were minors at the time of the incidents.
A senior police officer had stated that in one case, the accused sent obscene content to a victim on social media platform Snapchat, while in another case he allegedly sexually abused
a victim.
Sources stated that certain obscene videos have been recovered and are being examined. Apart from relevant sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the IT Act, the accused has also been booked under various provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Goa Children’s Act.
