Police to review Goa rape case
The Goa Police will review the case against Goa Education Minister Atanasio Monserratte's son as the German victim is not deposing before the police.
The Goa Police will review the rape case against Goa Education Minister Atanasio Monserratte's son as the victim, a German minor, is not deposing before the police.
"The girl is not willing to depose. In this situation, it is difficult for us to proceed with the case. We will review the entire case as seven days have passed since the case was filed," Superintendent of Police (North) Bosco George told PTI last night.
Rohit, 21, was booked for rape, outraging modesty, abetting crime and sending lewd messages to the 14-year-old girl. Her mother had lodged a police complaint on October 2, but the case was filed only on October 14.
Since then, the Minister's son is missing and the girl is unwilling to depose before the police or get herself medically examined.
The police had commissioned services of an NGO and psychiatrists to get the girl depose and give her statement. Police say they cannot move ahead and collect evidence without the victim's statement.
"We will have to now review the case to decide which sections are to be dropped and what course of action is to be followed," George, who is heading the investigation, said.
Monserratte, who has been charged with abetting the crime as his cellphone was used by Rohit to allegedly send lewd messages, has refuted the charges against his son.
The case had triggered a political row with some ministers and legislators demanding a change in leadership in the Congress-led government formed last year.
