Mumbai:
Francis Gomes, arrested early on Thursday morning, has been granted bail, but can't pay the Rs 15,000 that's required of him. So he's been sent to judicial custody for two weeks.
Gomes has been accused of illegally confining his family. For seven years, he kept his wife and three daughters locked up in his flat in Vasai, on the outskirts of Mumbai. Gomes believed this would protect them from "being corrupted and raped". He has been unemployed for several years.
On Tuesday, Gomes' wife, Theresa, whispered for help through the front door's peephole. A neighbour passing by heard her, and enlisted an NGO's help.
Theresa, and two of her daughters, Barbara and Elizabeth, both in their 20s, were then rescued. The women had been beaten repeatedly during their seven-year house arrest. Severely enough that Barbara can no longer control her neck movements.
The Gomes' flat was in complete disarray. The fridge had a giant chain around it, suggesting that Francis decided when his family would eat. There were huge deadbolts on the doors and windows.
Theresa's third daughter escaped the House of Horrors two months ago. She had caught the attention of a neighbour who worked with an NGO to extricate her. At that point, Teresa and her other two daughters refused to leave the house. They were terrified of being caught by Francis.
Francis insists he has done nothing wrong. He has dared the police to bring him face-to-face with his wife. She will not be able to accuse me in person of any crimes, he seethes.