PANJIM: For the fifth time, the survivor in an alleged rape case involving Panjim MLA Atanasio Monserrate has gone missing from a rehabilitation centre. The girl, who was a minor at the time of the incident in 2016, is reportedly missing for nearly a fortnight now.
A missing person’s complaint is registered at the Anjuna Police Station but the search team continues to be in the dark about her whereabouts. Sources said the survivor along with another inmate went missing from the same day.
The news comes at a time when the trial court in Panjim is conducting hearing into the case, the next hearing of which is scheduled on October 14.
“The police team is looking out for the girl. We have recorded statements of the institution officials and gathering more leads to track her whereabouts. She will be found soon,” an officer said.
Over a year ago in May 2019, the victim had gone missing from a rehabilitation centre at Verna where she was relocated from State Juvenile Detention Centre in 2018 on attaining the age of 18 years. She was thereafter traced and lodged back in the institution. Prior to this, a police source said, she had gone missing thrice but returned to the centre couple of days later.
The Additional District and Sessions Court commenced the trial against Monserrate in October 2019. The MLA was booked in 2016 under the Indian Penal Code and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act for allegedly drugging and raping the girl. Monserrate has consistently denied charges claiming he is being framed on a false charge.
