A Goa court on Thursday extended the police custody of former Congress leader and St. Cruz MLA Atanasio Monserrate, who has been accused of raping a minor girl, till May 16.
Atanasio Monserrate, alias, Baabush, who was booked on May 4, was sent to three-day police remand earlier on May 6 by a local court. His defence lawyer Rajiv Gomes had not objected to remand petition then, but moved an application asking to restrain the investigating police authorities from revealing the details of investigation to the media.
The police have also arrested the victim's mother on charges of trafficking.
The police registered an FIR against Monserrate under Section 8 of the Goa Children's Act and Sections 3 and 4 of the POCSO Act, besides various IPC Sections of rape, assault and restraining the survivor.
Monserrate was expelled from the Congress Party on charges of anti-party activities after the Panaji Assembly by-polls last year.
