Goa minister’s son charged with raping minor German

PANAJI: The elder son of Goa minister Atanasio Monseratte was on Tuesday charged with raping a minor German girl in a case which also had a violent overtone after a social activist was attacked for apparently helping the victim’s mother to get justice.

In an embarrassment for the Congress-led coalition government, the state police booked 21-year-old Rohit for alleged sexual and mental abuse of the 14-year-old girl and was charged with offences including rape, abetment to crime and outraging her modesty.

Monserratte, who is the state’s education minister and unattached MLA of regional party UGDP, claimed his son was innocent and that he was not involved in the crime.

The police were hot on the trail of Rohit and were searching several bungalows where the accused could be possibly staying. Police said his arrest was imminent.

The police action came after a German researcher Fadela Fuchs had complained on October 2 that her daughter was being mentally and sexually abused by Rohit, who also allegedly sent lewd text messages from his mobile.

Police, who appeared lax to act initially, swung into action on Tuesday after the incident kicked up a storm.