National

Not closing probe, say Goa police

PANAJI: The Goa police have ruled out closing investigations into the alleged rape of a minor German girl though her mother sought to withdraw the complaint.

Sources in the north Goa police said on Wednesday that the mother’s letter, submitted on Sunday, had no meaning for the police. There was a prima facie case against the accused and the police would continue with the investigation.Rohit Monserrate, elder son of Education Minister Atanasio Monserrate, who is accused of raping the girl, is out on bail after having been in police custody for six days.

“The State government will not decide on the request of the German woman seeking withdrawal of her complaint,” Chief Secretary J.P. Singh said on Tuesday, indicating that the matter would be placed before court.

Meanwhile, her counsel, Aires Rodrigues, told a press conference here that he was withdrawing from the case as she did not consult him before her meeting with Superintendent of Police (North) Bosco George on Tuesday to discuss the progress of the case.

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