MARGAO: A police team from Maina-Curtorim visited the residence of the accused, Patorciana Fernandes from Gounloy, Nuvem, as part of the ongoing investigation into a dowry harassment case. Fernandes, booked by the Maina-Curtorim police, is accused of subjecting her daughter-in-law to cruelty for demanding dowry.
Police sources said that the visit aimed to collect further details related to the incident. The accused, Patorciana Fernandes, has moved an anticipatory bail application before the Additional District and Sessions Judge in Margao. The court has scheduled further arguments for December 11.
PSI Praful Giri had interrogated Fernandes as the Maina-Curtorim police station on Tuesday.
The case against Patorciana Fernandes was registered on November 30, under Section 304-B of the IPC, based on an order from the Deputy Collector and Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Salcete. The order followed allegations of cruelty, harassment, and dowry demands that reportedly led to the death of her daughter-in-law, Samanta Fernandes,30, at GMC on August 30, due to burns at their residence in Gounloy, Nuvem.
The case gained attention after Samanta’s mother Ana Maria Dias petitioned Goa’s top government and police authorities, seeking action against the mother-in-law for dowry harassment, mental torture, and murder.