Habitual offender involved in sexual harassment and stalking arrested by Panaji police

Goa Khabar : The Panaji Police have successfully arrested a habitual offender involved in multiple cases of sexual harassment and crimes against women. The accused, identified as Gloan Pednekar, son of Anand Pednekar, aged 27 years, and a resident of House No. 140, Tonca, Caranzalem, Tiswadi, Goa, was apprehended following meticulous technical surveillance and intelligence-based operations.

Brief facts of the case

On 24th February 2025 at 15:30 hours, an offence was registered at Panaji Police Station (Crime No. 29/2025) under sections 78(2), 75(2), and 79 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, pertaining to sexual harassment, stalking, and outraging the modesty of the complainant and her female friend. The incident took place on 23rd February 2025 at 22:20 hours near Citizen Credit Co-Operative Bank Ltd., Patto, Panaji.

Investigation and Arrest

Following the registration of the case, a dedicated team was formed under the supervision of Akshat Kaushal, IPS, Superintendent of Police (North Goa), to trace and apprehend the accused. The team included SDPO Panaji Sudesh Naik, IPS Probationer Arun Balgotra, and PI Vijay Chodankar, among others.

The accused, after committing the offence, went into hiding to evade arrest. With the help of technical surveillance, intelligence gathering, and analysis of CCTV footage, the accused was identified as Gloan Pednekar. Based on the leads obtained, his location was traced to Belagavi, Karnataka.

A dedicated team proceeded to Belagavi, where the accused was apprehended and subsequently brought to Panaji Police Station on 2nd March 2025.

Accused’s Criminal History

Investigations revealed that Gloan Pednekar is a habitual offender with a history of multiple crimes against women. His previous criminal record includes:

Crime No. 01/2016 – Panaji Police Station

Offences under Section 457 and 380 r/w 34 of IPC (House Trespass & Theft)

Crime No. 276/2020 – Panaji Police Station

Offences under Section 354 and 354-D of IPC (Assault or Criminal Force to Woman with Intent to Outrage Modesty & Stalking)

Crime No. 67/2024 – Panaji Police Station

Offences under Section 354-A IPC, Section 8 of Goa Children’s Act, and Section 12 of POCSO Act (Sexual Harassment & Protection of Children from Sexual Offences)

The successful detection and arrest of the accused were made possible due to the relentless efforts of the Panaji Police team. The technical surveillance and intelligence collection in this case were efficiently carried out by Arun Balgotra, IPS (Trainee, AGMUT 2023), under the guidance of Akshat Kaushal, IPS, SP North Goa.

The Goa Police reaffirm their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of women and urge the public to report any suspicious activities immediately. Strict action will be taken against habitual offenders and perpetrators of crimes against women.