Goemkarponn Desk
MARGAO: The Margao Special Court begins trial in the alleged rape case involving Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate.
During the trial today the Court allowed the release of passport of co-accused Rosy for the purpose of renewal only.
The next hearing in the case will be held on April 28.
Monserrate was charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly raping a teenage girl in 2016.
He is the first sitting minister in Goa to face charges under the stringent POCSO Act besides the charges of rape, wrongful confinement, and criminal intimidation.
The survivor had alleged in May 2016 that she was drugged and raped by Monserrate after she was sold by her mother for Rs 50 lakh to him.
The case was recently transferred to the South Goa principal district and sessions court presided over by Judge Irshad Agha.
Monserrate is facing trial for the rape of a young girl and is charged with the offences of rape with section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, human trafficking, section 370 A of the IPC, Section 328 (poisoning) and section 324 of wrongful confinement.
The victim had in a statement given to the police back in 2016 accused Monserrate of buying her, drugging her and sexually assaulting her.
The second accused, who happened to be related to the survivor, is undergoing trial for abetment.
Monserrate has consistently denied all allegations but also refused to speak details of the complaint stating the matter is sub judice.
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