In another case of online sexual harassment against women, a Taleigao resident and businessman Estonio Almeida have been alleged of stalking women all over Goa through his Facebook and Messenger posts. His latest victim Ex-Goa AAP leader and DID Supermom Contestant Cecille Rodrigues has filed a police complaint of sexual harassment against him for harassing, stalking and using lewd and vulgar comments on Facebook and Whatsapp. It is High Time that the authorities should take some serious note and action against such atrocities.
Taking to social media to speak about the harassment meted out to her, former Goa-AAP leader Cecille Rodrigues said the accused Estonio Almeida, a businessman, and resident of Taleigao has harassed her on Facebook and Whatsapp. Several other women have also come forward in their Facebook posts to Cecille to speak of similar harassment from the accused and have expressed their solidarity to her. A video posted by her is now going viral.
According to News18, former AAP (Aam Admi Party) leader from Goa Cecille Rodrigues filed a complaint on Monday evening at the Panaji Police Station. In her statement, the complainant said that the accused had called her to inquire about her Zumba classes. Thereafter he started harassing, irritating and stalking her with several lewd and vulgar messages on Facebook, Messenger, and Whatsapp. In her complaint she also states that she was forced to approach the police when the accused started harassing her on Whatsapp in the wee hours of the night, using lewd and vulgar comments. This transpired on the night of June 22.
“Initially, considering I was extremely pre-occupied, I did not read all his messages and in fact ignored most of his comments, thinking he was just another fan I didn’t know,” she said.
Although Facebook as of now has removed Cecille’s posts, her video is going viral. “Estonio Almeida you have harassed all the women around in Goa or on your friend’s lists through your posts. This is not the end, but just the beginning,” she warned the perpetrator. “My video is a message for you and I want to see you off Facebook,” she said while requesting the Taleigao MLA, Panjim MLA Babush Monserrate, and the Taleigao sarpanch to take cognizance of the matter immediately and action taken thereof. “Come what may, we will take Estonio Almeida to the task,” she promised.
It may be recalled that Cecille had contested from the Taleigao Assembly constituency in the 2017 state Assembly elections. She had secured the third place with 1,976 votes. She was also the first runner-up in the reality dance show ‘Super Mom’ in 2013.
According to New18, as of now, a Goa Police spokesperson has informed that the women’s police station officials are conducting a preliminary inquiry into Cecille’s complaint.
SOURCE: NEWS 18
