Goa Court Acquits Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate in 2016 Rape Case
A court in Goa on Wednesday acquitted Revenue Minister and BJP MLA from Panaji, Atanasio ‘Babush’ Monserrate, in connection with a 2016 rape case. The court also acquitted another accused, Rosario alias Rosy Ferros, who was charged with alleged human trafficking in the same matter.
Background of the Case and Allegations
The case dates back to 2016 when a woman accused Monserrate, who was the St Cruz MLA at the time, of sexually assaulting her. She claimed that her mother allegedly "sold" her to Monserrate for Rs 50 lakh in a deal facilitated by Ferros. The woman stated she used to work at a lifestyle store owned by Monserrate and alleged she was a minor at the time of the incident.
Police had booked Monserrate under sections of rape, human trafficking, poisoning, and wrongful confinement. The woman made these claims to a counsellor in a protective home for women, who reported it to the local police. During the investigation, charges under the Goa Children’s Act were dropped after an ossification test could not conclusively establish her age at the time of the offence.
Court Verdict and Defence Arguments
After the verdict, Monserrate expressed relief, stating, "I had full faith in the judiciary of our country. I have been acquitted by the district court of all the allegations made against me. It has been a long wait… 10 years. How I have suffered each day… I know. I would like to thank my family, my friends and my supporters, who stood by me in this difficult time."
Defence counsel advocate Damodar Dhond highlighted that the prosecution failed to prove the charges due to inconsistencies in the complainant's statements. He pointed out:
- The victim gave six different statements, each contradicting the other.
- In her first statement, she claimed she visited Monserrate's home around 6 pm, was given something to eat and drink, fell unconscious, and regained consciousness the next morning around 11 am, during which she alleged she was raped while unconscious.
- She did not specify a date, providing a range of 61 days between March and April for the incident, which Dhond termed "absolutely absurd."
- Phone records for the two months showed no gaps in calls or messages, contradicting her claim of being unconscious.
- Later, the complainant changed her statement, admitting she fabricated the allegations due to anger against her mother after watching an episode of the crime TV show Savdhaan India.
Political Context and Monserrate's Response
Monserrate, who was in the Congress when the case was lodged, had consistently denied the allegations, terming the case a conspiracy against him and claiming he was being politically targeted. He joined the BJP in 2019 and currently holds the Revenue, Waste Management, and Labour and Employment portfolios in the Goa Cabinet.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Monserrate maintained his innocence, asserting that the case was an attempt to tarnish his reputation. The acquittal marks a significant turn in his political career, which has spanned over a decade amidst these allegations.
The court's decision underscores the importance of evidence and consistency in legal cases, particularly in sensitive matters involving high-profile individuals. The verdict brings closure to a decade-long legal battle that has been closely watched in Goa's political circles.
