Officer directed to speed up probe into Russian ‘race row’

Officer directed to speed up probe into Russian ‘race row’
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: With the Russian consulate in Mumbai raising concerns about the growing “racial intolerance” against Russian nationals in the state, the Goa police have directed its officer to speed up investigation and collect all evidence.
The inquiry report — prepared by the North Goa police after the Russian consulate sent a letter to the chief minister and tourism minister alleging that “Russian citizens were being assaulted on the basis of national or racial intolerance” in Goa — states that the investigating officer has been directed to speed up the investigation.
The report states that soon after the registration of the offence, the Calangute PI made several efforts to trace the accused — who were absconding — involved in the crime.
And, that the SP North has now asked the IO to collect evidence and file chargesheet against the accused.
The inquiry report would be submitted to the chief minister soon.
The report further revealed that during the course of investigation, it was learnt that the complainant (Russian woman) was running the hotel and on St John the Baptist’s feast day the accused had gone to the swimming pool of the hotel to have a bath.
“As the complainant didn’t allow them to enter the pool, a scuffle took place. The motive behind the crime was sudden provocation,” the police report states.
The report also states that the two Russian women were medically examined at Primary Health Centre, Candolim and the medical officers certified that the injuries sustained were simple in nature.
The report added that the two accused – Joseph Coutinho and Jennifer Coutinho from Calangute — had applied for anticipatory bail, which was granted by the North Goa sessions judge.
North Goa SP Bosco George confirmed that the report has been submitted to the DGP.
The report was prepared after CM asked the DGP to inquire into the matter and submit a detailed report before July 10, 2008.

July 9, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition