Diwali celebrations in Goa's Mapusa took a disturbing turn when a toddler was allegedly raped inside an abandoned building.
The incident has raised serious questions about child safety in public spaces.
With gaps in CCTV coverage complicating the investigation, police faced challenges tracing the accused.
How did the incident unfold, and how did investigators track down the suspect?
Here's what happened.
What Happened In Mapusa On Diwali Night?
The incident took place near Lohia Ground in Mapusa, North Goa, on Diwali night.
The girl, whose family sells balloons, had accompanied them to the area. According to eyewitnesses, motorcycle taxi operators saw a man taking her towards an abandoned building at around 8 pm. Assuming he was a family member, they did not intervene.
About 90 minutes later, the girl emerged crying and bleeding. A woman at a nearby tailoring shop gave her a cloth. The motorcycle operators then alerted the police.
The child was first taken to North Goa district hospital and later shifted to Goa Medical College and Hospital. Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta said her condition was stable.
Who Is The Accused?
Goa Police arrested Pundalik Gudge, a native of Karnataka’s Dharwad district, in connection with the alleged rape. Mapusa Police Inspector Anant Gaonkar confirmed the arrest on 11 November, stating that Gudge was found hiding in Panaji.
An earlier report by The Goan stated that he knew the girl’s father and had worked alongside him selling balloons.
Before the arrest, police had detained several people for questioning, formed teams to trace the suspect and recorded statements from the child’s father and another person who had accompanied the family.
How Did CCTV Gaps Affect The Investigation?
Nearby shops either lacked CCTV cameras or had non-functioning systems, making it difficult to trace the suspect’s movements.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Ashish Shirodkar and senior officers visited shops to collect footage and approached the local market association to improve coverage. Police obtained recordings from the market and surrounding areas, but none covered the area close to the abandoned building.
The incident has raised concerns about surveillance in busy public spaces, particularly during festivals.
What Did Goa's Leaders Say?
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said police would take strict action and ensure the accused remained behind bars.
Tribal Welfare Minister Ramesh Tawadkar condemned the alleged assault, calling the perpetrator someone with a “demonic mentality”. He also claimed that outsiders commit 90% of such crimes in Goa, referring to people who come to the state for work and other reasons. However, the report provided no data to support the figure.
The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights took suo motu cognisance and directed police to conduct a thorough, impartial and time-bound probe under the POCSO Act, 2012, and other applicable laws. It also stressed that the child must receive medical care, psychological support and privacy throughout the proceedings.
The Bigger Question: Are Public Spaces Safe For Children?
The Mapusa case raises concerns about child safety in public spaces. Despite the busy market and Diwali crowds, poor CCTV coverage near the abandoned building hampered the investigation.
It highlights the need to monitor abandoned buildings, maintain functional CCTV networks and strengthen child protection measures. While the arrest marks a breakthrough, accountability and preventing such incidents remain crucial.
TL;DR | News At A Glance
What happened in Goa?
A young girl was allegedly sexually assaulted inside an abandoned building near Lohia Ground in Mapusa on Diwali night, 8 November.
Who is the accused?
Police arrested Pundalik Gudge, a native of Dharwad district in Karnataka, in connection with the case.
Where was the accused arrested?
He was reportedly found hiding in Panaji.
Why did the investigation face difficulties?
Several shops near the alleged crime scene either lacked CCTV cameras or had non-functional systems.
What action did the child rights commission take?
The Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights directed police to conduct a time-bound investigation and take action under the POCSO Act.
What did the Goa minister claim?
Tribal Welfare Minister Ramesh Tawadkar claimed that 90% of such crimes in Goa involved outsiders, but the report did not provide supporting data.
