Panaji (Goa)

 

NGO Savera has approached the Crime Branch seeking confiscation of passport of social activist Aires Rodrigues, who is charged with sexual harassment after he posted on Facebook and Whatsapp an alleged video footage of Water Resources Minister Vinod Paliencar with a woman. 

While he has managed to secure anticipatory bail in the two-month old case, the NGO fears the activist might flee abroad in view of different cases registered against him. “There are many other FIRs registered at Panaji Police Station under section 14 of Foreigners Act, section 4 and 5 of Foreigners Act and section 12 of Passport Act against Rodrigues and also an FIR registered at Old Goa Police Station under section 14 of Foreigners Act, section 4 and 5 of Foreigners Act and section 12 of Passport Act, section 127 of Citizenship Act and section 31 of Representation of Peoples Act and many more FIRs registered at different police stations,” the letter to Crime Branch inspector states. “Siince there are many FIRs against the accused, I apprehend that he may run away from the country as he is a Portuguese National. Therefore you are kindly requested to confiscate his Indian/Portuguese Passprt at the earliest,” NGO President Tara Kerkar said. 

Rodrigues was last charged with sexual harassment and is being investigated under sections 354 (A) (iv)(sexual harassment), 509 (words or gesture to insult modesty of a woman), 500 (punishment for defamation) of Indian Penal Code following complaint from a woman victim alleging that on November 4, 2017, Rodrigues had circulated on Facebook and Whatsapp an alleged video footage of Water Resources Minister Vinod Paliencar with her. She had accused him falsely implicating both herself and the minister in a sec scandal. Rodrigues has denied allegations asking to submit the proof to the investigating agency. The case was transferred from Anjuna police to the crime branch after the NGO, which is pursuing the case alleged biasness towards the activist. 

 

TEAM TNV