Woman who ‘sold’ minor girl to Goa ex-MLA arrested

The Goa police on Saturday arrested a woman who allegedly “sold” a 16-year-old girl to expelled Congress legislator Atanasio Monserratte after she surrendered before the Crime Branch here.

The police had been looking for the woman, Rosy Ferros, whom the victim had referred to as “aunty” in her statement since May 4. She, along with the girl’s mother, have been booked for trafficking.

The police also inspected the crime scene, a four-star hotel at Miramar beach in Goa where Monserratte, former education minister, allegedly met the victim for the first time with Ferros.

Monserratte was arrested two days ago and sent to police custody for allegedly “buying” and sexually exploiting the girl.

Ferros surrendered before the Crime Branch at around 12.30 pm on Saturday, and was formally arrested later in the afternoon after questioning, a senior police officer said.

The girl, in her statement to the police, had claimed she was sold by her mother to Monserratte in March for `50 lakh. Ferros allegedly brokered the deal.

Monserratte, MLA from the Santa Cruz constituency, was on Friday remanded to three-days’ police custody by a magistrate’s court. He would be presented before the Goa children’s court on Monday.

The MLA has denied the allegations claiming that he had sacked the victim from her job at his lifestyle store at Miramar beach for stealing cash.