NT Reporter
Panaji
The Crime Branch of Goa Police probing the alleged Curchorem obscene videos scandal has registered a fourth FIR against Soham Naik (21), a resident of Cacora in South Goa, while his police custody has been extended by another four days.
Naik was arrested on Monday by Curchorem police, and on Tuesday
all three cases linked to the matter were transferred
to the Crime Branch at
Ribandar.
One case against Naik was registered based on a media report, while the other three FIRs were filed on complaints by the victims. Police said the accused had allegedly sent obscene content to a victim on the social media platform Snapchat, while the other two cases pertain to alleged sexual abuse. The victims were minors at the time of the incidents.
Police traced one of the minor victims linked to the first FIR registered on the basis of a media report. Sources said a Crime Branch team located the victim and recorded her statement. The team also conducted a search at the accused’s residence in Cacora.
Director General of Police Alok Kumar said that owing to the sensitive nature of
the case and the need to maintain confidentiality of the victims, the investigation was transferred from Curchorem police station to the Crime Branch at Ribandar. He said confidentiality of the victims was of utmost importance and was a key reason for handing over the probe.
Apart from relevant sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act, the accused has also been booked under various provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act as well as the Goa Children’s Act.
