PANJIM: After a brief break, the District and Sessions Court will on December 11 continue hearing into a rape case that has sitting MLA Atanasio Monserrate an accused.
Sources said that after 2-3 summons issued on the minor rape victim to appear for deposition returned unserved, a co-accused in the case has appealed the Court to issue fresh summons on her.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
“The last hearing scheduled on October 18 was adjourned to December 11 since it was declared a holiday. The victim was expected to appear as the recent summon was served successfully. Now the co-accused has applied to the Court requesting recording the rape victim’s statement in the ongoing trial,” a source said.
In 2019, the Court ordered charges be framed against Monseratte as it found merit in the chargesheet.
Monseratte was booked and chargesheeted in 2018 under IPC Sections 376, 342 and 506 and Sections under POCSO Act as the girl was a minor in 2016.
The MLA is also facing a fresh situation wherein activist Adv Aires Rodrigues sought from the High Court of Bombay at Goa to expedite the trial into the Panjim Police Station against the MLA and his minister wife Jennifer Monserrate.
