NT NETWORK
PANAJI
St Cruz MLA Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate faces arrest after the Goa police registered an FIR against him on charges of allegedly raping a minor girl.
The 16-year-old victim girl filed a police complaint on Wednesday based on which the police registered an FIR under sections 376 (rape), 370 (buying or disposing of any person as a slave), 342 (wrongful confinement), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence) of the IPC, Section 8 of the Goa Children’s Act and, sections 3 and 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
Sources claimed that the victim girl, a school dropout, has been known to the accused.
Referring to the complaint, the sources said the incident of alleged rape took place in March this year in Taleigao.
The victim is a native of a northeastern state and residing in Goa, the sources said.
The case was registered at the city town police and subsequently transferred to the women police station, Panaji.
The case is being investigated by PI Sudiksha Naik.
“Offence has been registered against the accused (Babush Monserrate) following the complaint lodged by the victim girl,” superintendent of police Karthik Kashyap told media persons at the Panaji town police station adding that “the complaint was given in presence of child welfare committee members”.
According to Kashyap, the incident of alleged rape was disclosed by the victim to the child welfare committee, Apna Ghar and subsequently it was brought to the notice of the law enforcement agency.
“As per the law we have registered the case based on the complaint of the victim and are investigating,” Kashyap said.
Replying to a question, Kashyap said, “Investigation is in preliminary stage and we are collecting evidence. As of now we cannot divulge any details pertaining to investigation.”