Stating that his client, St Cruz MLA Atanasio \\\'Babush\\\' Monserrate, wishes to cooperate with the investigating authorities for as long as the probe is fair and proper, Monserrate\\\'s legal counsel Adv Rajeev Gomes hinted that the legislator is unlikely to move bail on Monday when he will be presented before the Children\\\'s Court.
The St Cruz legislator and mother of the minor girl will be presented before the Children\\\'s Court on Monday for further police custody. Police are likely to demand full police custody of up to 10 days yet again.
Adv Gomes sought to reiterate that Monserrate did not choose to go for anticipatory bail, and instead surrendered before the Crime Branch because he wishes to cooperate with the investigation and ensure that it is carried out swiftly.
\\\"If we had moved an application seeking anticipatory bail, the entire process would have taken at least 10 days in the court, with the police having to file their say before the matter was finally decided. My client did not wish to waste the time of the police,\\\" Adv Gomes stated.
When asked whether the St Cruz MLA is likely to apply for bail when the matter comes up before Goa Children’s Court on Monday, Adv Gomes said, “It depends on the progress and fairness of the investigation. We will move a bail application when we are personally satisfied that the investigating authorities have had sufficient time to carry out the probe.\\\"
Meanwhile, there are no signs yet of the appointment of a special public prosecutor to represent the State in this case, and the mystery is likely to be laid to rest on Monday.
A special investigating team has been formed under the supervision of acting Superintendent of Police (North) Karthik Kashyap, and comprising investigating officer inspector of Women’s Police Station Sudiksha Naik, PI (Crime Branch) Dattaguru Sawant and PSI (Crime Branch) Laxi Amonkar to investigate the high-profile case.
