Police authorities in India on Thursday said a former education minister of Western State of Goa had been booked on charges of child trafficking and raping a minor girl.
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Babush, who was in Mumbai, came to the crime branch police station at Ribandar along with his MLA wife Jennifer and supporters today afternoon.
After the arrest, Superintendent of Police (Crime) Karthik Kashyap told reporters that there was strong evidence against Monserrate to merit his arrest.
Police said today the victim has accused the unattached MLA of raping her on more than on occasion after she was employed by him at a lifestyle store which is owned by him.
Monserrate, also known as Babush, was charged by officials of the Panaji police station on Wednesday.
Babush is booked under non-bailable sections 376 (rape), 370 (buying or disposing any person as slave), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 328 (causing hurt by poisoning) of Indian Penal Code, sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Children from Sexual Offenses Act and section 8 of Goa Children’s Act.
Crime Branch SP Kartik Kashyap is personally monitoring the investigation and was present at the farm house while conducting the search.
She alleged that Monserrate spiked her drink and then raped her at his bungalow. “There is no question of my getting intimate with her”, Monserrate said, adding that he was now out of Goa.
Reacting to the development, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar said the charges were serious and police should probe the genuineness of the case.
Meanwhile, Mr. Monserrate has denied the allegations, calling the case a “fabricated one”.
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Mr Monserrate who represents St Cruz constituency was elected to Goa Legislative Assembly on a Congress ticket. His son Rohit was also arrested for raping a minor German girl but later freed by a court. “If he is guilty, I am sure he will abide by the law”, he said.
