Team Goemkarponn
CUNCOLIM: Cuncolim Police on Wednesday arrested Melson Coutinho, a resident of Cuncolim, on charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation after he allegedly befriended a woman through social media, sexually assaulted her, and dishonestly induced her to part with gold and cash worth nearly ₹90 lakh.
According to the police complaint, filed on August 18, the incidents occurred between April 9 and August 18, 2025, behind Mac’s Restaurant, Cuncolim. Police said the accused promised to marry the woman and subsequently called her to his residence, where he allegedly had forcible sexual intercourse with her.
The accused is also alleged to have taken large amounts of money and gold ornaments belonging to the complainant, her mother, and her sister, under the pretext of medical needs and on the assurance of returning them. However, when the complainant demanded repayment, Coutinho allegedly threatened to upload her nude photographs on social media.
Police registered an offence under Sections 64(1), 351(4), and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
A team of Cuncolim Police led by PSI Riyanka Naik and PI Diago Gracies, under the supervision of SDPO Margao Shri Sidhant Shirodkar and SP (South) Shri Tikam Singh, tracked down and arrested the accused on August 20. Further investigation is underway.
