On January 8, 2026, the High Court of Bombay at Goa made an important decision in the case of Martin Soares, a 75-year-old from Aldona, Bardez, Goa. He was found guilty of serious sexual assault against a minor, with the court agreeing with the earlier decision of the Children's Court in Panaji.
The case goes back to May 2012. The victim's mother, Mrs. Fernandes, made a complaint on May 15, 2012, after hearing about the incident from family friends. The victim, who was underage, claimed that Martin Soares forced her into his house, took off her clothes, and did things that count as sexual assault. This reportedly happened in April 2012.
The investigation resulted in formal charges being filed on August 16, 2012. The case was heard in the Children's Court in Panaji, where Soares was accused under different sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Goa Children’s Act.
On February 15, 2018, the Children's Court found Martin Soares guilty and sentenced him to:
Martin Soares appealed the decision, but the High Court, led by Judge Shreeram V. Shirsat, rejected the appeal, finding no good reason in the defense's arguments. The court highlighted the reliability of the victim's statement, saying:
"The victim's statement is clear and consistent... there is no reason for the first witness to wrongly accuse the Appellant."
The court also responded to the defense's point about the lack of injuries, stating that the absence of medical evidence does not mean the assault didn't happen.
This case shows how the judicial system deals with sensitive cases involving minors. The court's decision highlights the importance of the victim's statements and the need for quick reporting and investigation of such crimes.
The High Court confirmed Martin Soares' guilt, stressing the seriousness of the crime and the need for strict punishment in cases of sexual assault against minors. The request to delay the judgment was also denied, meaning Martin Soares must serve his sentence right away.
