Scarlett’s mom to seek police cover from HC

Scarlett’s mom to seek police cover from HC
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: A day after the doctor, who conducted the first autopsy on Scarlett Keeling, contradicted Goan cops’ claims that she had been drugged, sexually assaulted and left to drown, the British teenager’s mother, Fiona MacKeown, on Sunday said she would seek police protection from the Goa bench of the Bombay high court.
“Besides demanding a CBI probe into my daughter’s death, I may also seek police protection from the court because my life is in danger. Let the court decide what’s best for the case,’’ Fiona said. She added that although she didn’t trust the cops, she was seeking police protection as several people were aware of her whereabouts. “I’ve been staying at my lawyer Vikram Varma’s house and too many people know that. It could be dangerous for me, Vikram and his family,’’ she said.
Sources said Dr Silvano Sapeco, who had conducted the first autopsy on Scarlett, in a fresh report submitted to the police on Saturday said she hadn’t been overdrugged before being raped but forcibly drowned and murdered. His report said the bruises on her body suggested a struggle.
Fiona, who was criticised for being a negligent mother, said justice was partly done as the fresh report by Dr Sapeco, the head of Goa Medical College’s Forensic Department, vindicated her. But North Goa SP Bosco George said: “The fresh report has no meaning. The doctor should have made these observations in the first report.’’
“Only when a forensic doctor keeps the cause of death reserved can they give new insights into the cause of death. But in Scarlett’s case, Dr Sapeco had clearly stated that the cause of death was due to drowning. So, he can’t give any new insight as an afterthought,’’ said a senior police officer.
The three-member forensic experts panel headed by Dr E J Rodrigues has written to Goa chief secretary J P Singh, North Goa SP Bosco George, SDM M V Khorjuenkar and GMC Dean Dr V N Jindal alleging lack of cooperation from the police. The letter was sent on March 19, when the police pressurised the doctors to conduct an ossification test on Scarlett without Fiona’s nod. This attitude, they said, had hampered the administration of justice.
2008 Mar 24 Times Of India Mumbai