high level inquiry team formed to probe the matter ,SAWaNT TO PERSONALLY takE A day-to-day report
the goan I network
PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday said the missing rape victim in the case against Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate will be traced soon and the truth behind the missing woman will come out as a high level inquiry team has been formed to probe the matter.
Sawant who is also the Home Minister said he is personally taking a day-to-day report of the progress from the police.
He was addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in connection with the party’s campaign for the Panjim bypoll.
The victim, who was a minor in 2016, had accused Monserrate, the Congress candidate for Panaji bypoll, of allegedly drugging and raping her. Monserrate who was arrested then but released on bail, was chargesheeted in 2018 under section 376 of the IPC and Section 506 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
The case was recently argued before the court and has been posted for framing of charges on June 4.
On April 28, authorities at the convent where the girl was undergoing rehabilitation in South Goa, had filed a missing complaint after she left and didn’t return. The police then registered a First Information Report under section 362 (abduction) of the IPC.
Sawant meanwhile told reporters that the state government has launched a massive hunt to trace her.
“The woman was not in the custody of State government. She was referred to a Rehabilitation Centre at the advice of Child Welfare Committee constituted as per the Court directives. If someone has been kidnapped or whether she has gone somewhere, the responsibility is on the government to trace her. I am taking a day-to-day report,” Sawant said.
Meanwhile NGO Hope Foundation, whose member is a witness in the case, told reporters on Wednesday that the State should provide protection to witnesses.
“The witnesses in this case should be provided protection. Also, efforts should be made to trace the girl as soon as possible,” Andrea Pereira, director, Hope Foundation told reporters.
Meanwhile, Sawant said the demand of the BJP that licenses of offshore casinos should not be renewed again will be examined by his government.
“I have received the letter today itself. As state government we are considering the request,” Sawant told reporters at the press conference.
The letter has been sent to the government by BJP Goa Unit President Vinay Tendulkar.
“Definitely, the government will consider the representation and act accordingly.”
Meanwhile, the CM also condemned the recent attack on BJP National President Amit Shah’s rally at Kolkata. Claiming it to be murder of democracy, CM Sawant has stated these are signs that BJP will attain majority in West Bengal.
