Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Feb 17: Vinod Palyekar, former Water Resources minister of Goa, has been booked by Goa Police for allegedly sexually harassing a 23-year-old woman and cheating her under false promises.

According to the police complaint, the woman alleged that the accused “deliberately and intentionally” established a relationship with her and “dishonestly induced her by making false and misleading representations regarding career opportunities”.

The complainant stated that she was lured into a relationship based on what she described as “fraudulent assurances”. The FIR further states that during the period she was residing with the accused, he allegedly subjected her to sexual harassment, abuse and sexual assault, thereby outraging her dignity and bodily integrity.

It also alleges that the accused failed to fulfil the promised career opportunities, thereby dishonestly cheating the complainant and causing her mental, emotional and personal harm.

Police sources said the complaint was lodged on January 31. A case has been registered under Sections 69 (sexual intercourse by employing deceitful means), 75(2) (sexual harassment) and 318(4) (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Palyekar, who represented the Siolim constituency in North Goa as an MLA of the Goa Forward Party between 2017 and 2022, served as a minister in the Cabinet led by late Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar from 2017 to 2019. During his tenure, he held the Fisheries and Water Resources portfolios.

During his ministerial stint, Palyekar had publicly advocated for a ban on late-night parties in the state and had alleged rampant drug sales along the coastal belt, claiming police connivance.

Police officials said an investigation has been initiated. “A probe has been initiated. We are verifying the contents of the complaint,” a senior officer said.

Attempts to seek Palyekar’s response were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.