Girl raped by Goa MLA Atanasio Monserratte shows sign of abnormal behaviour, admitted to psychiatry institute

Panaji: The minor girl, who had accused former Goa minister Atanasio Monserratte of rape, has been admitted to the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) here from the state-run protection home due to her 'abnormal behaviour', a senior police official said.

The 16-year-old girl, who was lodged in the protection home near here, after she filed the case against Monserratte, an expelled Congress MLA, was referred to IPHB after the management of the home complained about her abnormal behaviour, the official attached to Crime Branch said.

On May 5, Monserratte was arrested after the girl complained that she was purchased by him (from her mother) at Rs 50 lakh and was raped thereafter.

"The girl has been kept under observation. We are monitoring her behaviour. The details cannot be disclosed about the case as it amounts to breach of privacy of the patient," a senior doctor from IPHB said.

The girl was admitted to the institute last evening and kept under tight police protection as Monserratte is already out on bail.

Crime Branch had arrested mother of the victim and another woman for human trafficking. All are out on bail currently.

Monserratte, who represents St Cruz constituency, had refused his involvement in the case claiming that the entire episode was a "political conspiracy" against him.

He said the victim, who was working in the lifestyle showroom owned by him, was dismissed from services for stealing cash.