Court orders to frame charges against Goa rape case accused

A Children’s court in Panaji, Goa has ordered to frame the rape and sexual assault charges against Rohit Monserrate, the accused of raping and sending vulgar messages to a minor German girl.

Rohit is the son of Goa Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate.

During the hearing, the president of the children's court, Desmond D'Costa was agreed with the public prosecutor’s claim that there were sufficient materials indicating the involvement of the accused in the case.

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He directed to frame the charges against Rohit of committing grave sexual assault, rape and sending obscene messages via mobile phone.

The public prosecutor P Bharne argued that the statement of witnesses, medical and other evidences were the grounds for presuming that the accused committed the offence, and charges should be framed against him.

On the other hand, Rohit’s counsel contended the argument of Bharne and said that since there is mere suspicion against the accused, therefore no charge can be framed against him.

Rohit is an accused of raping 14-year-old German girl who has left India and now in her native land. According to police chargesheet that was filed in January 2009, Rohit raped the girl in his Audi car near Bambolim in September last year.

Moreover, police also claimed to have enough evidence that Rohit had sent several vulgar text messages via his mobile phone to the girl.

The case was first erupted in October last year. The police had earlier refused to register the first information report (FIR), but later registered the case when German consulate intervened.

After registering the case, Rohit was arrested but soon released on bail when police informed the court that they did not need him in custody for interrogation.