The Vasai horror story of a woman and her three daughters allegedly kept confined in their home for seven years could have ended in July had the police acted on an application filed by the eldest daughter, who had managed to escape. The police delayed action as Francis Gomes filed a counter-complaint over his “missing” daughter.

Twenty-five-year-old Genevieve was “rescued” after she fell ill in June and was admitted to Gracias Hospital in Vasai by Gomes. Doctors attending to her were alarmed at her extremely malnourished condition, and contacted an NGO, which in turn asked a women’s shelter, Shanti Ghar, to take Genevieve in. Following this, Gomes filed a missing complaint.

Gomes, 60, is accused of keeping his wife and daughters locked at home for seven years, reportedly because of fear that they would be raped if they ventured out.

Genevieve reportedly told Shanti Ghar authorities that her father had been deeply disturbed since he lost his job at a city mill a decade ago. A St Xavier’s graduate, he was forced to shift from Andheri to a rented flat in Vasai after this, and it is this that may have prompted his actions.

After a month at Shanti Ghar, Genevieve moved to a hostel in the city, and while she filed an application with the police against Gomes in July, the latter didn’t take any action.

Thane Superintendent of Police Madhukar Pandey admitted that the police had got a complaint in July. “It has been brought to my notice that the local police station (Manikpur) might have received a complaint earlier. I will look into the matter and necessary action will be taken,” Pandey told The Indian Express.

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