Goa MLA Babush Monserrate has been booked for alleged human trafficking. A summon has been issued to Babush to appear in the Women police station at Panjim. Monserrate, however, surrendered on Thursday afternoon and has been arrested.
Goa Police on Thursday recorded the statement of the minor girl, who was allegedly raped by expelled Congress legislator Atanasio Monserratte in March.
“A team of officials from Women’s police station visited the state-run protective home where the girl is currently lodged and recorded her statement,” a senior official said on condition of anonymity.
A crime branch superintendent of police Karthik Kashyap said Women police station is conducting panchanama at crime scene.
The victim had filed a report against the MLA claiming that she was raped multiple times. But now it is suspected that it is not just a case of rape. So far what the investigations have brought up is that this is a case of the minor being sold to the Goa MLA.
There is suspicion on the mother of the victim as well and she too has been booked for human trafficking.
Sources reveal that the mother of the minor benefitted from the payment being made for the sale of her daughter. For that reason she has also been booked for human trafficking.
Late on Wednesday, Monserrate also known as Babush, was booked by officials of the Panaji police station, for allegedly raping a minor girl, who was earlier his employee.
Mr. Monserrate, who was expelled by the Congress and is now an independent legislator, has been charged with human trafficking and rape in a police case.
He has denied the accusations, stating that the teen who has complained against him used to work in a shop owned by him and was fired for stealing.
But the 16-year-old girl from Nepal has told the police that she was sold to him by her step mother and another woman she referred to as “aunty”. Mr. Monserrate spiked her drink and then raped her in his bungalow a few weeks ago, the teen has allegedly told the police.
