The incident unfolded when a 16‑year‑old girl, after reporting her grievance to the child helpline, was allegedly taken to the Crime Branch office in Ribandar by Inspector Vikas Deykar and later assaulted on July 25 and again on October 27, 2023. The girl’s mother, who had initially called the helpline to seek protection, was informed that the complaint had been forwarded to Deykar, who allegedly used his position to facilitate the assaults. Ranjini Palyekar, a woman present at the office, is accused of aiding the officer in the acts.
Police have registered a case against Deykar and Palyekar under sections 75 (sexual harassment) and 127 (wrongful confinement) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, as well as sections 10 (aggravated sexual assault) and 12 (sexual harassment) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The charges reflect the seriousness of the alleged violations, with section 10 covering sexual assault that causes injury or potential harm to a child.
Deputy Director General Alok Kumar said the force will pursue both legal and departmental action, affirming a zero‑tolerance stance on misconduct. Kumar added that the police will cooperate fully with the judiciary and that disciplinary measures will be implemented once the investigation concludes.
The case has been transferred to the Old Goa police station for further proceedings, with investigators set to review CCTV footage and interview witnesses. A hearing is expected to be scheduled within the next 30 days, and a departmental inquiry will run concurrently.
For the victim, the aftermath has been harrowing. She, a student in her final year of high school, has been receiving counseling support from a local NGO that assists children in abuse cases. Her parents, now more cautious, have requested that the police maintain transparency throughout the investigation.
The incident has sparked broader concerns about safeguarding protocols within police stations across Goa, prompting calls for stricter oversight and training for officers handling child-related cases.