MARGAO
The South Goa Sessions Court on Friday directed the investigation officer in the minor girl rape case allegedly involving Revenue Minister Atanasio Monserrate to hand over the Passport to the accused Rosaria alias Rosy Ferros for renewal.
In his order, Sessions Judge Irshad Agha, who is appointed a special judge to try criminal cases against politicians, stated that upon receipt of the Passport, the accused shall immediately within 10 days move to the Passport Authority for renewal.
The Judge further directed the Passport Officer to renew the passport of the accused for a period of ten years.
“After the renewal of the Passport, the accused shall hand over the Passport to the Investigating Officer within ten days," the judge directed.
While partly granting the application moved by the accused, Judge Agha observed: “Renewal of the Passport is a legal right of any person even if the charge sheet is filed. No purpose will be served by restraining the accused from renewing her Passport. The law also requires that the Passport should be renewed within a stipulated time. The High Court of Bombay at Goa has recently in one of the judgments held that a Passport can be renewed for a period of ten years,” the Judge said.
However, on the plea by the accused seeking to waive the conditions imposed on her not to leave the country without the permission of this court, Judge Agha said: “Such a waiver cannot be granted because conditions are imposed with the sole intention to secure the presence of the accused.”
Meanwhile, the Judge has adjourned the matter to April 28 for trial in the rape case.
