Goa MLA rape case: Woman accused of brokering deal surrenders to cops

Panaji: Goa police on Saturday arrested a woman who allegedly “sold” a 16-year-old girl to the expelled Congress legislator Atanasio Monserratte. She surrendered before the Crime Branch in Panaji on Saturday. The police were looking for the woman, Rosy Ferros, whom the victim had referred to as “aunty” in her statement since 4 May. She and the girl’s mother have been booked for trafficking. Police also conducted ‘panchnama’ (crime scene inspection) at a four-star hotel at Miramar beach in Goa where Monserratte, former education minister, allegedly met the victim for the first time with Ferros. [caption id=“attachment_2183795” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] Monserratte was arrested two days ago and sent to police custody for allegedly “buying” and sexually exploiting the girl. The victim’s mother too was arrested. Ferros surrendered before the Crime Branch at around 12:30 pm on Saturday, and was formally arrested later in the afternoon after questioning, a senior police officer said. The girl, in her statement to the police, had claimed she was sold by her mother to Monserratte in March for Rs 50 lakh. Ferros allegedly brokered the deal. Monserratte, MLA from St Cruz constituency, was on Friday remanded to three-days’ police custody by a magistrate’s court. He would be presented before the Goa Children’s Court on Monday. The MLA has denied the allegations claiming that he had sacked the victim from her job at his lifestyle store at Miramar beach for stealing cash.