The South Goa Principal District and Sessions Court has convicted Ramchandran Chendayelappa for rape, robbery, and voluntarily causing hurt in the course of committing robbery of a 48-year-old British woman tourist in the Palolem area of Canacona in 2018.

According to the prosecution, on December 20, 2018, due to a delayed train arrival, the victim was walking from Canacona railway station to her accommodation between 4:00 AM and 4:30 AM. Taking advantage of the deserted road, the accused, Ramchandran Chendayelappa, intercepted her, dragged her into a nearby field, and sexually assaulted her. He then fled with her three bags, which contained ₹20,000 in cash, a passport, debit cards, and other important items.

Following the victim’s complaint, the police launched an investigation and identified Ramchandran Chendayelappa using CCTV footage from the railway station area. He was subsequently arrested at Margao railway station.

During the investigation, the police also discovered Ramchandran Chendayelappa’s involvement in another crime, in which ₹32 lakh was stolen from a hotel in Morjim. The police further seized the stolen property and the two-wheeler used in the commission of the crime.

The police filed a charge sheet against Ramchandran Chendayelappa for rape, voluntarily causing hurt in the course of committing robbery, and causing the disappearance of evidence.

The trial court recorded the testimonies of 22 witnesses. Based on the evidence presented and the witness statements, the court found Ramchandran Chendayelappa guilty and convicted him of rape, robbery, and voluntarily causing hurt in the course of committing robbery. However, he was acquitted of the charge of causing the disappearance of evidence.

The court will hear arguments on the point of sentence on November 16.