Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: After nearly eight years of legal proceedings, the Judicial Magistrate First Class-C Court, Mapusa, today delivered its verdict in the long-pending criminal case (Case No. 354/S/2017/A/C) stemming from an incident that took place in July 2017.
The case, which involved serious allegations of abuse, assault, and outraging the modesty of a woman, culminated in the conviction of all three accused.
The complainant, Dr. Meenacshi Martins, had filed an FIR (No. 107/2017) with the Porvorim Police Station, alleging that on July 30, 2017, she was abused, assaulted, and threatened with sexual violence by the three accused—Vijay Dalvi, Sweta Kandolkar, and Shrikant Arlekar—while she was attempting to document illegal activity on a public road.
The incident, which took place near the KTC Depot in Alto Porvorim, reportedly involved a group of about 20 people.
Following a detailed trial involving multiple witnesses—including an eyewitness, a medical officer, and the investigating officer—the court found sufficient evidence to convict all three under Sections 504, 509, 354, and 323 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
However, the accused were acquitted under Section 506(ii) (criminal intimidation).
In a strongly worded judgment, the Court emphasized the importance of upholding the dignity and modesty of women, stating that the accused had “failed to respect and protect the dignity of the complainant,” and their conduct had “insulted her character and privacy.”
Sentencing Highlights:
All three accused were sentenced to two months’ simple imprisonment for each offence under Sections 504, 509, 354 IPC, and one month for Section 323 IPC.
They were also fined a total of Rs. 7,000/- each.
In addition, the Court directed the accused to pay Rs. 25,000/- each as compensation to the complainant, failing which they would be liable to pay an additional Rs. 25,000/-.
The Court further warned the accused against any future interference or offenses against the complainant.
Advocate S. Shet and Advocate P. Gadkar appeared for the accused, while Assistant Public Prosecutor S. Talawnekar represented the State.
This judgment marks the conclusion of a prolonged and emotionally charged legal battle that began in 2017, bringing closure to the complainant and reaffirming the legal protections available to women against verbal abuse and physical assault.
