Colva: A day after registering a case in the assault of an 83-year-old man that came to light through a viral social media video, Colva police on Saturday arrested Irene Gonsalves for allegedly assaulting her father-in-law, Loyala Souza.Police said Irene, wife of prime accused Isidoreo Souza, has been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 24 of the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. The same charges have been invoked against her husband.Investigating officer and Colva police inspector Videsh Shirodkar said the offences are bailable as they carry a maximum punishment of less than seven years’ imprisonment. He said the victim suffered an injury to one ear, while the remaining injuries are simple in nature. The final medical opinion has been kept reserved.The octogenarian has since been taken to his relatives’ residence in Cortalim, where he is being cared for.The case was registered on the complaint of Crisostomo Mariano Soares of Cuncolim after he came across the viral video allegedly showing the elderly man being assaulted inside his house. The footage purportedly shows Irene repeatedly slapping the victim and hitting him with slippers before Isidoreo allegedly joins in, assaulting his father with slaps and fist blows while the couple abuse, threaten and humiliate him.Shirodkar said the investigation is being fast-tracked and police aim to file the chargesheet before the court within a week.
