An Indian man was arrested after allegedly rapp*ing a British tourist in front of her husband on a beach in Goa after offering her a massage.
A 32-year-old Indian man has been arrested for allegedly rapp*ing a British tourist on a beach in Goa.
The accused allegedly as*saulted the woman in front of her husband at Arambol Beach after offering her a mud bath.
On June 2, 2022, the woman and her partner were at the beach when Joel D’souza approached them. He pretended to be a masseuse and offered her a mud bath.
He tricked her into going to Sweet Water Lake, where he rap*ed her.
After consulting her family and the UK consulate, the woman informed the police on June 6.
D’souza was arrested after a FIR was filed at Pernem Police Station under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (punishment for rape).
He was not a professional masseuse, according to police, and he took advantage of the woman because she was a tourist.
D’souza is suspected of being a member of a group that provides illegal massages at Arambol Beach.
D’souza previously worked as a school librarian.
“We have contacted the concerned police station to obtain his previous records,” a police officer said. He is not currently employed as a librarian.”
The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment.
According to a spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office,
“In Goa, we are providing consular assistance to a British national.”
The Goa Police Department has started cracking down on illegal massage parlours, hawkers, and touts.
“We will take action against illegal massage parlours,” said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant.
“I’ve already told the cops that all illegal massage parlours will be shut down starting tomorrow.”
“Only those with a spa and beauty parlour licence, as well as those who are registered with the health, police, and tourism departments, will be permitted to operate.”
“There should be Ayurvedic practitioners in Ayurvedic panchakarma centres and massage parlours.”
North Goa Superintendent of Police Shobhit Saksena said officers have started taking action, saying:
“Tourists should also be aware that cross-massage is not permitted in Goa, which means that males can only be massaged by a male masseuse and females can only be massaged by a female masseuse.
“Hawkers and touts are also being heavily regulated.
“People are also advised not to use guides or touts, and not to buy anything from hawkers.”
“In the last month, more than 100 hawkers have been booked.”