MARGAO
Trial in the minor girl rape accused allegedly involving Revenue Minister Atanasio 'Babush' Monserrate could not start again before the High Court designated Special Court on Monday after the victim girl sent a letter to the Court praying for 10-15 day time to appear for the hearing.
Considering the fact that she is recently employed and that she may lose her job if prior intimation is not given to her employer, the victim girl has sought time to appear before the Court for her examination.
After taking cognizance of the statement made by the Public Prosecutor, V G Costa, Special judge and South Goa Sessions Judge Irshad Agha, has issued a fresh summon to the victim girl to appear before the Court on July 17 at 10 am when the hearing will take place for the full day, and again on July 18, July 19 and July 20.
In the meantime, Judge Agha has decided to start the trial in the rape case by issuing summons to two prosecution witnesses on June 21 at 10 am.
Revenue Minister Monserrate was not present in the court since he is under a permanent exemption.
This is the second time that the trial in the minor girl rape case could not start on the scheduled date. The last time around, the trial could not start after the victim girl failed to turn up as the notice issued by the police had returned unserved.
