Explelled Monserratte from party at the right time: Cong

Congress today said it was "right" in expelling legislator Atanasio Monserratte, who was arrested last week for allegedly "buying and raping" a minor girl, as his continuation would have "embarrassed" the party.

Monserratte, who represents St Cruz constituency, was expelled from party on March 11, 2015 for hobnobbing with the BJP during a bypoll held for Panaji seat.

He was arrested on May 5 on the charge of raping the 16-year-old and also booked for trafficking.

"Congress party took right decision at right time to expel him or else the current charges against him would have come as a major embarrassment to the party," Congress' Goa spokesman Urfan Mulla told reporters.
 

Monserratte was axed from Congress following his tacit support to the BJP candidate in the bypoll which was necessitated following ascension of the then chief minister Manohar Parrikar as Defence Minister.

Monserratte is currently in the custody of crime branch. He would be presented before a local court tomorrow.