In 2016, the girl had accused Congress leader Atanasio Monserrate, contesting the Panaji by-election, of sexually assaulting her. Her sudden disappearance had triggered controversy in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Goa.

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"I congratulate the Goa Police team for tracing the missing victim girl. Women safety is the topmost priority of our government," Sawant tweeted.

On April 28, 2019, nuns who run the rehabilitation home in South Goa had filed a missing complaint after the girl had disappeared. Later, the police registered a first information report (FIR) under section 362 (abduction) of the Indian Penal Code.

Monserrate was charge-sheeted last year under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 506 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POSCO Act) after being booked in 2016 for allegedly raping the girl, who was minor at the time, after drugging her.

The Congress blamed the disappearance of the victim on the poll-eve on the BJP, calling it an attempt by its "dirty tricks" department to influence voters against Monserrate.

Here's how netizens applauded Goa Police and Pramod Sawant's government in Goa:

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