Goa rape case: Accused MLA, victim's step-mother's remand extended

Panaji: A Goa children`s court on Monday extended the remand by three days of expelled Congress leader and St. Cruz MLA Atanasio Monserrate alias Babush and the step-mother of the minor girl, who was raped.

After Babush was sent to police custody for three days by a court on May 6, the third accused Rosy Ferros, who had allegedly helped the victim`s mother to sell the girl to the expelled Congress leader, was arrested the next day.

The police had earlier arrested the victim`s mother on charges of trafficking.

Babush was arrested reportedly after he surrendered before the Goa Police.

The Goa Police on May 4 registered an FIR against Babush under Section 8 of the Goa Children`s Act and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act, besides various IPC Sections of rape, assault and restraining the survivor.

Earlier, the police searched his properties on the outskirts of Panaji.Babush was expelled from the Congress on charges of anti-party activities after the Panaji Assembly by-polls last year.

Babush, who is an unattached member in the Goa Assembly, reportedly also has a history of being chargesheeted for extortion.

He had recently announced of taking control of the United Goans Democratic Party (UGDP) with eyes on the next assembly polls scheduled in early 2017.