The Goa Children’s Court on Wednesday granted bail to former Education Minister and unattached MLA Babush alias Atanasio Monserrate in the case involving the rape of a minor girl. The court also granted bail to two other accused in the case — the girl’s mother and her neighbour, both facing charges of trafficking.
The court granted bail to the MLA on the condition that he would report to the crime branch for seven days and deposit a surety amount of Rs.1 lakh.
Monserrate had been in police custody for the last 12 days after he surrendered before the crime branch on May 5. The former minister was arrested following a complaint lodged by a minor girl of Nepali origin, who lives in the constituency of the MLA.
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In her complaint she said that she was sold to the MLA for a sum of Rs. 50 lakh and was raped by him. Along with the MLA, the girl’s mother and her accomplice were also arrested.