Rohit gets conditional bail

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-11-11
PANAJI - The Education Minister, Mr Atanasio Monserrate’s son, Rohit Monserrate who allegedly raped the German minor girl was granted conditional bail on Monday by the president of the Children’s Court, Mr Desmond D’Costa. Rohit was arrested after the minor girl deposed before a Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) accusing Rohit of sexually abusing her.
The president of the Children’s Court released him on a bond of Rs 10,000 and a surety of like amount and asked Rohit to report at the Calangute police between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. for three days. The Court has also directed him to submit his passport and told him not to tamper with the evidence. It also directed him to refrain from visiting the victim’s residence at Saligao.
The advocate, Mr Arun Braz de Sa argued that Rohit had cooperated with the police during the course of investigation and that the police had even attached his mobile handset. He argued that since the minor German girl and her mother were not cooperating with the investigators, Rohit should be given bail since he has no criminal background.
The public prosecutor, Ms Poonam Bharne argued that the offence was of a serious nature and if Rohit was released he could tamper with the evidence and may even threaten the witnesses; hence in this circumstances bail should not be granted.
Among those present at the Children’s Court were the Curtorim MLA, Mr Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco, Panaji Mayor, Mr Tony Rodrigues, deputy Mayor, Mr Yatin Parekh and Ms Carolina Po.