‘Plaint against Fiona has no locus standi’

‘Plaint against Fiona has no locus standi’
Lawyer Turns Heat On Perpetrators Of Crime
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Panaji: Fiona MacKeown, mother of British teenager Scarlett Keeling who was raped and murdered at Anjuna beach, has responded to the show cause notice issued by the director of women and child development.
In her reply, MacKeown said that she wouldn’t be able to appear before the director as she is a single mother of seven minor children and that her presence in England with her children was essential for their care and safety.
The women and child department had issued a show cause notice to MacKeown upon a complaint by Utt Goenkara spokesperson Aires Rodrigues and directed her to be present on Friday. The complaint was filed against her for violation of provisions of the Children’s Act.
Fiona further stated through her lawyer, Vikram Varma, that inadequate notice was given to her to make alternative arrangements for the safety and care of her children
and asked for exemption from personal appearance.
“My client is the natural mother of the deceased Scarlett. She has exhibited her concerns and responsibilities as a parent for Scarlett Eden Keeling from her birth, during her life and even after her death far in excess of the complainant. The complainant’s attempt to display a level of concern and responsibility higher than my client for Scarlett is unnatural, unfounded and misguiding,” reads the response to the director’s notice.
It further states that Keeling was a victim of homicide and it would be in the interest of the perpetrators of the crime to use both threat and legal muscle in browbeating Fiona from not returning to India to assist in investigations.
“The case is in appeal in the high court and the matter is being examined for its tenability. The complaint needs to be dismissed as it has no locus standi on the matter and is not substantiated by a single shred of evidence,” added Varma.
Meanwhile, the director has adjourned the matter to Thursday, September 18.

September 13, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition