<p class="title">A Goa court on Thursday framed charges against BJP MLA Atanasio Monserratte for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The police last year filed a 250-page charge sheet in North Goa district court after the investigation in the case was completed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">North Goa district and sessions court judge Sherin Paul on Thursday framed charges against Monserratte.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The trial in the case will begin on October 17.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Monserratte, 55, the MLA from Panaji constituency, has been booked under Indian Penal Code Section 376 (rape) and relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).</p>.<p class="bodytext">In a statement to police in 2016, the victim, then aged 16, accused Monserratte of drugging and sexually assaulting her.</p>.<p class="bodytext">She also alleged that her mother "sold" her to Monserratte for Rs 50 lakh.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Monserratte was arrested on May 5, 2016 and is currently out on bail.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The MLA earlier denied all charges against him, saying he was innocent and the case against him was "politically motivated".</p>
<p class="title">A Goa court on Thursday framed charges against BJP MLA Atanasio Monserratte for allegedly raping a 16-year-old girl.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The police last year filed a 250-page charge sheet in North Goa district court after the investigation in the case was completed.</p>.<p class="bodytext">North Goa district and sessions court judge Sherin Paul on Thursday framed charges against Monserratte.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The trial in the case will begin on October 17.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Monserratte, 55, the MLA from Panaji constituency, has been booked under Indian Penal Code Section 376 (rape) and relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO).</p>.<p class="bodytext">In a statement to police in 2016, the victim, then aged 16, accused Monserratte of drugging and sexually assaulting her.</p>.<p class="bodytext">She also alleged that her mother "sold" her to Monserratte for Rs 50 lakh.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Monserratte was arrested on May 5, 2016 and is currently out on bail.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The MLA earlier denied all charges against him, saying he was innocent and the case against him was "politically motivated".</p>