Women’s commission seeks action against Pratima

NT NETWORK

PANAJI

The chairperson of Goa State Commission for Women has sent a letter to the director general of police (DGP) Dr Muktesh Chander asking to take action against president of Goa mahila Congress Pratima Coutinho for allegedly disclosing identities of victims of molestation and sexual abuse in two cases.

The commission has sought action as per Section 228 A of the Indian Penal Code as well as under Section 74 of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.

The chairperson, advocate Subhalaxmi Naik, in her letter, says that commission has taken serious note of act of Coutinho of allegedly revealing the names of the victims.

“The police action would deter such politically-motivated publicity stunts from repeating that crime at the cost of victim’s pain and suffering,” the letter reads.

A delegation of mahila Congress members led by Pratima Coutinho had visited the Goa State Commission for Women on July 4, in the presence of media persons to appeal for help in connection with case of an unwed mother, who was cheated by her boyfriend.

“Coutinho visited the office accompanied by 15 persons and 15 media personnel along with the alleged rape victim and her three-month-old child, exposing their identities to the commission and the media,” the letter reads.

The news over the victim’s identity spread on social media, however, when on July 8 identity of a 17-year-old victim of molestation was also allegedly revealed, the women’s commission decided to act.