JMFC Panaji sent MLA Atanasio Monserrate to three days police remand after being arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl. In a hearing that lasted for 28 minutes, JMFC judge Vaishali A Lotlikar granted the Goa Crime Branch three-days of remand. During the hearing, Advocate Rajiv Gomes appearing for Monserrate referred to a report on a English National daily and argued that the whole objective of the complaint was nothing but a political witch-hunt. "Victims complaint statement have been leaked to the media by the investigating team, this is nothing but an attempt by the police to tarnish my (clients) image," he said. [related-post] In the wake of the grievance highlighted by Monserrate's lawyer, Judge Lotlikar issued oral orders against sharing investigation details to media and public. On late Wednesday evening, the St. Cruz MLA was booked on charges of allegedly raping a minor girl. In her complaint the victim alleged that in March, she was confined from 6 pm to 11 am the next day, during which Monserrate spiked her drink and raped her. The victim in her complaint also named a male and his female accomplice for selling her to Monserrate for a sum of Rs. 50 lakh. WATCH INDIAN EXPRESS VIDEOS HERE
