MARGAO
In an interesting development, the prosecution has moved the South Goa Sessions Court to drop around 12 prosecution witnesses from deposition in the minor girl rape case allegedly involving Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate.
The defence lawyers representing Monserrate and Rosaria Ferros, have submitted their no objection to the application moved by the prosecution to drop the witnesses. Special Judge Irshad Agha, trying the minor girl rape case, has posted the matter for arguments on the application filed by the Public Prosecutor V G Costa.
Source close to the prosecution, however, maintained that the 12 witnesses named in the application for dropping are not material witnesses, pointing out that some of the these witnesses are not at all relevant to the case.
In fact, sources said no purpose would have been served in examining the 12 witnesses since the statements are not at all connected to the facts of the case.
In one case, sources pointed out that the witness does not put light on the prosecution case and hence is recommended to be dropped.
There’s another witness who does not support the case of the prosecution and show any connection to the crime. “Since these witnesses are not material witnesses in the case, their examination would serve no purpose. Hence, the prosecution has moved the court for dropping the witnesses,” sources said.
Incidentally, the Court had last week rejected the application moved by the prosecution for the re-examination of the victim girl.
