Atanasio “Babush” Monserrate.A trial court here on Thursday framed charges against ruling BJP MLA Atanasio Monserrate in a rape case involving a minor girl.
The trial is now scheduled to begin from 15 October at the Additional District and Sessions Court here.
Monserrate was booked in 2016 under the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act for allegedly drugging and raping a 16-year-old girl.
In the 2018 Panaji by-polls, Monserrate contested on a Congress ticket and was severely criticised by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant after the rape victim went mysteriously missing during the campaign. The victim, however, reappeared soon after the by-elections, which Monserrate won.
The chargesheeted Monserrate later joined the BJP in July this year, as part of a group of 10 Congress deserters. The accused lawmaker has had a political career spanning 17 years in Goa, and in this period he is known to have switched parties a number of times.
(With Inputs from IANS)
An Appeal...
Dear Reader,
As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.
Our business model is you and your subscription. And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.
We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.
Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.