Team Herald
PANJIM: Crime Branch is likely to interrogate Taleigao MLA Jennifer Monserrate who is a witness as revealed by the victim girl in connection with the human trafficking and rape case registered against her husband, St Cruz MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate.
A senior Crime Branch official said Jennifer may be called for interrogation any time as her statement is required to map the sequence of events.
In her statement, the girl said she was taken by Babush to his residence before going to the farmhouse where she was drugged and raped. Police want to get on record Jennifer’s presence during the day when the girl was in the house. Jennifer has stood by her husband claiming that he has been framed.
“We are basically looking at recording statements of all those surrounding the incident, victim and accused,” a senior police official said. “We are recording statements of all whose names come in the course of investigation,” he added.
Police are also planning to record the statement of the maid who offered the soft drink to the girl. “We have pieced together information of how the incident happened. These are important facts which would go against the accused during the trial,” he said.
Crime Branch officials have maintained that Babush is not cooperating with them which has left gaps in the investigation. “We will be asking for extension of his police custody so that the truth is revealed,” the officer said.
Crime Branch has also decided to have an ossification test of the victim so that her age can be determined scientifically. CB is suspicious that Babush’s lawyers will come up with a two birth certificate theory so that she is proved to be a major. “There is information that the girl has two birth certificates. We are verifying it,” he said.
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Expulsion of Babush was at right time: Cong
PANJIM: Congress on Tuesday stated that their decision to expel St Cruz MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate from the party came at the right time as the current case against him would have embarrassed the party.
“The party took the right decision to expel him. It was a right move. Or the case against him would have been a major embarrassment to the party now,” party spokesman Urfan Mulla said. Monserrate was expelled by the Congress after the Panjim bypolls for anti-party activities.
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CM prefers to remain mum on Babush case
PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Tuesday refused to comment on the progress in investigations in the rape allegations against St Cruz MLA Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate.
“I don’t want to comment on the case or investigations. All I can say is that the Crime Branch is doing a good job,” Parsekar said responding to a question from the media. Parsekar said that any necessary statement on the progress would be made by Crime Branch officials.
