Police in Mapusa had made no arrests by late Tuesday night in the reported sexual assault of a four-year-old girl near the town’s busy market, with investigators identifying the absence of functioning CCTV coverage as a major obstacle in tracing the suspect.
The child, the daughter of a balloon seller, was reportedly taken into an abandoned building near the market area at around 8pm on Diwali. Witnesses told police that bystanders assumed the person accompanying her was known to her. About 90 minutes later, the girl emerged from the building bleeding, according to the report.
The survivor was first taken to the North Goa district hospital and later shifted to Goa Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Superintendent of Police Rahul Gupta said her condition was stable.
Investigators were searching for footage from shops and other establishments near the reported crime scene. Deputy Superintendent of Police Ashish Shirodkar visited stores in Mapusa with other senior officers until late Tuesday night while police sought usable recordings that could help identify the suspect.
Shirodkar confirmed that CCTV coverage around the location was inadequate. Several establishments either did not have cameras installed or had systems that were not functioning, leaving investigators without a continuous visual record of the area.
“We are scanning the area for anti-social elements. We will ask the market association to get CCTVs installed,” Shirodkar said, according to the report. He added that the investigation was progressing and urged patience, describing the case as sensitive.
The reported assault has triggered concern among Mapusa residents over safety and law enforcement in a densely used commercial area. The location near the market, combined with the presence of an abandoned building, has also drawn attention to how vacant or poorly monitored urban spaces can become difficult for authorities to secure and investigate.
Police said they were continuing to examine available footage from nearby shops and search the surrounding area. The market association is expected to be approached regarding the installation of CCTV cameras, while investigators continue efforts to identify the suspect.
