MLA rape case: senior cop says not behind media leaks on probe

A senior police officer today told a local court that he was not behind "leaking" of information to media on details of the investigation into the rape case involving MLA Atanasio Monseratte, days after his written reply was sought in this regard.
The officer stated that there are many "stake-holders" in the case who also have access to the information.
"Certain newspapers have been publishing false and wrong information of incident/investigation," Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Karthik Kashyap said in a written statement filed before the court.
Kashyap's reply came days after the court directed him to submit a written explanation on the "leaks" to the media pertaining to the probe into the case of human trafficking and rape registered against expelled Congress MLA Atanasio Monserratte. The MLA is accused of buying and raping a 16-year-old girl in March.

The officer was asked to submit his explanation by today before Principal District and Sessions Judge B P Deshpande.
"As alleged by the applicant/accused, the investigating authorities have disclosed the details of the investigation. I would like to submit that I have not disclosed any details of investigation to any print media or electronic media pertaining to the above crime," the officer stated.

"All briefing to the media has been general in nature and nothing in detail as alleged by the applicant/accused," stated the reply.
Kashyap stated there are many stake-holders connected to the case like "the victim assistant unit, members of child welfare committees, staff of Apna Ghar, medical officers of GMC, staff of court, certain witnesses, defence lawyer and public prosecutor".

"All the above have complete or certain knowledge of the details of the complaint given by the victim and hence they are in a position to disclose certain factual details regarding the incident and the case," he added.
Crime Branch had arrested Monserratte, the girl's mother and another woman, Rosy Ferros and charged them with human trafficking.
Last week, defence lawyer Saresh Lotlikar had moved an application seeking to restrain police from divulging information about the case to media.
Advocate Rajiv Gomes, who also represented Monserratte along with Lotlikar, had submitted to the court the statement given by the victim to the police which was printed verbatim in the media.