Ex-Goa minister held for raping minor girl sent to 3-day police custody
Panaji: Former Goa Minister Atanasio Monserratte was sent in three-day police custody by a Court on Friday in connection with alleged rape of a minor girl after "buying" her from her mother for Rs 50 lakh as Crime Branch launched a search for a woman accused of human trafficking.
The expelled Congress legislator, arrested last evening, was produced before Judicial Magistrate First Class Vaishali Lotlikar, who remanded him in police custody for three days.
The victim's mother, held for human trafficking, too, was sent in police custody for the same duration, while Crime Branch said it is looking for another woman.
Opposing the Crime Branch's custody plea, Rajiv Gomes, the lawyer of Monserratte, said the case had been filed to tarnish the image of his client and weaken him politically.
He said the girl was forced to file a complaint. "The investigation conducted so far has not been fair and its details have been leaked to the media," Gomes claimed.
Crime Branch Inspector Dattaguru Sawant, who is investigating the case, refuted the allegations levelled by the defence lawyer.
The MLA was taken for medical examination to Goa Medical College (GMC) before being brought to the Court. "Some forensic tests were conducted on him which are crucial as an evidence," a senior GMC doctor said without giving details.
The lawmaker from St Cruz Assembly constituency had appeared before police yesterday after he was booked for rape and human trafficking.
The 16-year-old girl had alleged she was sold to Monserratte by her mother and another woman for Rs 50 lakh and he sexually assaulted her in March.
The lawmaker has been booked for "buying" and raping the girl, whose mother faces human trafficking charge. Relevant sections of Goa Children Act and the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act, too, have been invoked against the controversial politician, who has run afoul of law in the past also.
During investigation, the role of a third woman came to light. "We have launched a search to arrest the third accused, Rosy Ferros. She is wanted in connection with the offence of human trafficking," Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Karthik Kashyap said.
Monserratte's wife, Jeniffer who is the MLA from Taleigao, met him in police lock up last night.
