PANJIM: A day after the demand from the Bharatiya Janata Party, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said he has initiated an inquiry into the missing of the survivor in the alleged rape case involving Panjim by-poll candidate Atanasio Monserrate.
Addressing the media in the city, Sawant said he has been getting day-to-day report from the police. “Even though the girl was lodged in a rehabilitation home, the responsibility of her protection lies with the State government,” he said, adding, “I have asked the police to inquire into all angles and get to the girl as soon as possible as her safety is our concern.”
He said wherever the girl may be the authorities will find her and submit a report. “Whether she is kidnapped or missing we will find her out and bring out the truth soon,” Sawant said.
BJP on Tuesday had demanded a thorough inquiry into the missing of the victim. Addressing a press conference, BJP State president Vinay Tendulkar said the timing of the missing of the girl raises eyebrows.
“Monserrate was the accused in the minor rape case and the girl missing cannot be incidental at a time when the case is up for hearings in the court,” Tendulkar said.
Monserrate is the Congress candidate for the upcoming Panjim by-election scheduled to be held on May 19.
The election has been necessitated due to the demise of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
