The North Goa Sessions Court has ordered the framing of criminal charges against Lakshiram Nagbanshi, a migrant construction worker, for allegedly sexually assaulting a mentally disabled woman in Pernem.

Finding sufficient prima facie evidence, the court ruled to proceed to trial under both the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act. According to the prosecution, the incident occurred on September 10, 2025, at Murmuse in Tuem, Pernem. Nagbanshi a native of Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal, residing at the nearby CISF Construction Camp allegedly took the complainant’s sister to a secluded spot roughly 100 meters from her home and sexually assaulted her.

During proceedings, the court allowed an application by the prosecution to add charges under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, which penalizes taking advantage of a vulnerable person to exploit them sexually. Following a review of the investigation records, the court ordered that formal charges be framed against Nagbanshi for rape and the sexual exploitation of a person with disabilities.