‘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
Showing posts with label Scarlette Keeling Case. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Scarlette Keeling Case. Show all posts
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Fiona’s counsel to contest plaint in Scarlett case
Fiona’s counsel to contest plaint in Scarlett case
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The Director of Child and Women D eve l o p - ment, Sanjiv Gadkar, will on Friday hear the complaint filed by Utt G o e n k a r a spokesman Aires Rodrigues against British teenager Scarlett Keeling’s mother, Fiona Mackeown, for violating the provisions of the Children’s Act.
Gadkar has directed Fiona to remain present before him to show cause as to why action should not be taken against her under the Children’s Act.
Rodrigues had in his complaint stated that Scarlett had come to India with her mother Fiona who left the minor girl in the company of one ‘Julio’ with the intention that the said ‘Julio’ would take care of the girl by giving her food, shelter, money, etc, while the mother along with some male companion and her other children were away holidaying in Gokarna in Karnataka.
“We are responding to the complaint. What we find untenable is that despite this complaint being examined and subsequently dismissed by the Children’s Court, the directorate has found grounds to override the court’s order and pursue this case,” said Fiona’s counsel Vikram Varma.
He said that the complainant ‘has no locus standi and neither has he substantiated his allegations with a single shred of evidence’. “We would like to examine the evidence before responding to it. In the absence of evidence, the complaint ought to be treated as frivolous and an abuse of the process of law. To my mind this complaint needs to be dismissed,” he added.
September 12, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The Director of Child and Women D eve l o p - ment, Sanjiv Gadkar, will on Friday hear the complaint filed by Utt G o e n k a r a spokesman Aires Rodrigues against British teenager Scarlett Keeling’s mother, Fiona Mackeown, for violating the provisions of the Children’s Act.
Gadkar has directed Fiona to remain present before him to show cause as to why action should not be taken against her under the Children’s Act.
Rodrigues had in his complaint stated that Scarlett had come to India with her mother Fiona who left the minor girl in the company of one ‘Julio’ with the intention that the said ‘Julio’ would take care of the girl by giving her food, shelter, money, etc, while the mother along with some male companion and her other children were away holidaying in Gokarna in Karnataka.
“We are responding to the complaint. What we find untenable is that despite this complaint being examined and subsequently dismissed by the Children’s Court, the directorate has found grounds to override the court’s order and pursue this case,” said Fiona’s counsel Vikram Varma.
He said that the complainant ‘has no locus standi and neither has he substantiated his allegations with a single shred of evidence’. “We would like to examine the evidence before responding to it. In the absence of evidence, the complaint ought to be treated as frivolous and an abuse of the process of law. To my mind this complaint needs to be dismissed,” he added.
September 12, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
WCD chief summons Fiona
WCD chief summons Fiona
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The director of the Wo m e n and Child d e p a r t - ment, Goa has issued a notice to S c a rl e t t Keeling’s m o t h e r. The director has directed Fiona Mackeown to remain present before him on September 12, 2008, and to show cause why action shouldn’t be taken against her for violation of the provisions of the Goa Children’s Act, 2005.
This notice was issued by WCD director Sanjiv Gadkar on September 2, based on a complaint received from Utt Goenkara spokesman Aires Rodrigues alleging that Fiona has “committed certain acts which constitute an offence under section 8 (1) (2) and (12) of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003.
Gadkar added, “I am satisfied that there exists a prima facie case for enquiring into the said instance of violation of the provisions of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003 by Fiona”. Rodrigues had alleged that Fiona was fully aware that her daughter Scarlett was a minor and yet left her in the company of Julio to take care of the girl by giving her food, shelter and money. “The law mandates that all children within the state of Goa be provided a safe environment wherein parents are responsible to ensure that the child is not abused,” alleged Rodrigues.
Confirming that he had received the notice, Fiona’s counsel Vikram Varma said that his client would respond to the notice. “It would be unprecedented for the government to start a parallel hearing in a matter which is already being heard by the high court of Bombay at Goa.”
Varma further added, “Such an action is ultravires and could be interpreted as contempt, unless initiated with leave or orders from the high court. Perhaps the director was not informed that the proceedings in this matter are being heard in the high court. I am examining the matter and my client would respond to the notice.”
September 6, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The director of the Wo m e n and Child d e p a r t - ment, Goa has issued a notice to S c a rl e t t Keeling’s m o t h e r. The director has directed Fiona Mackeown to remain present before him on September 12, 2008, and to show cause why action shouldn’t be taken against her for violation of the provisions of the Goa Children’s Act, 2005.
This notice was issued by WCD director Sanjiv Gadkar on September 2, based on a complaint received from Utt Goenkara spokesman Aires Rodrigues alleging that Fiona has “committed certain acts which constitute an offence under section 8 (1) (2) and (12) of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003.
Gadkar added, “I am satisfied that there exists a prima facie case for enquiring into the said instance of violation of the provisions of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003 by Fiona”. Rodrigues had alleged that Fiona was fully aware that her daughter Scarlett was a minor and yet left her in the company of Julio to take care of the girl by giving her food, shelter and money. “The law mandates that all children within the state of Goa be provided a safe environment wherein parents are responsible to ensure that the child is not abused,” alleged Rodrigues.
Confirming that he had received the notice, Fiona’s counsel Vikram Varma said that his client would respond to the notice. “It would be unprecedented for the government to start a parallel hearing in a matter which is already being heard by the high court of Bombay at Goa.”
Varma further added, “Such an action is ultravires and could be interpreted as contempt, unless initiated with leave or orders from the high court. Perhaps the director was not informed that the proceedings in this matter are being heard in the high court. I am examining the matter and my client would respond to the notice.”
September 6, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Search on for Scarlett’s Israeli friend
Search on for Scarlett’s Israeli friend
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The CBI officials who are in Goa to investigate the alleged rape and murder of Brit teenager Scarlett Keeling have been searching for an Israeli boy who was friendly with Keeling before she met Julio Lobo.
Police officials reveal that Keeling had met the boy soon after she had come to Goa and he had also helped her mother, Fiona Mackeown around soon after Keeling’s body was found. However, highly placed sources reveal that the Isareli has already left the country.
It is learnt that the CBI raided Lobo’s house and took a torch and few papers, including a paper from Julio’s aunt’s diary in which she had written a name “Fiona” (which is also Scarlett’s mother’s name) and a phone number written in pencil. Top officials reveal that the CBI also questioned Lobo about his relationship with Keeling and asked him whether he went searching for Keeling on the early morning of February 18, 2008 when the British teenager was allegedly drugged, raped and murdered on the Anjuna beach.
During the initial stages of the investigation, police officials had informed that the main accused in the case, bartender Samson D’Souza had left Scarlett in the water to die, after he saw someone approaching towards them with a torch.
Besides, sources revealed that the CBI also raided Shanaboy’s house on Saturday and questioned him again on his role in the murder. “The accused has been asked to come to our office at Altinho on Monday,” sources in the CBI confirmed.
June 23, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Panaji: The CBI officials who are in Goa to investigate the alleged rape and murder of Brit teenager Scarlett Keeling have been searching for an Israeli boy who was friendly with Keeling before she met Julio Lobo.
Police officials reveal that Keeling had met the boy soon after she had come to Goa and he had also helped her mother, Fiona Mackeown around soon after Keeling’s body was found. However, highly placed sources reveal that the Isareli has already left the country.
It is learnt that the CBI raided Lobo’s house and took a torch and few papers, including a paper from Julio’s aunt’s diary in which she had written a name “Fiona” (which is also Scarlett’s mother’s name) and a phone number written in pencil. Top officials reveal that the CBI also questioned Lobo about his relationship with Keeling and asked him whether he went searching for Keeling on the early morning of February 18, 2008 when the British teenager was allegedly drugged, raped and murdered on the Anjuna beach.
During the initial stages of the investigation, police officials had informed that the main accused in the case, bartender Samson D’Souza had left Scarlett in the water to die, after he saw someone approaching towards them with a torch.
Besides, sources revealed that the CBI also raided Shanaboy’s house on Saturday and questioned him again on his role in the murder. “The accused has been asked to come to our office at Altinho on Monday,” sources in the CBI confirmed.
June 23, 2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Friday, June 06, 2008
CBI to take over Scarlett case
CBI to take over Scarlett case
Almost a month after the state government issued a notification seeking the transfer of the rape and murder case of British teenager Scarlett Keeling to the CBI, the central investigating agency has registered the case and will soon take over it from the Goa police. The case has been registered after the notification issued under Section 5 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
06 June 2008, The Times of India, Goa Edition
Almost a month after the state government issued a notification seeking the transfer of the rape and murder case of British teenager Scarlett Keeling to the CBI, the central investigating agency has registered the case and will soon take over it from the Goa police. The case has been registered after the notification issued under Section 5 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
06 June 2008, The Times of India, Goa Edition
No male DNA found in Scarlett swab
No male DNA found in Scarlett swab
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Goa police request to subject Samson D'Souza, the main accused in the Scarlett Keeling rape and murder case, to narco analysis, brain signature profiling and psychological evaluation tests, including polygraph, has been rejected by the children's court.
The court questioned the constitutional validity of such scientific tests to which an accused has not consented and turned down the police request as they had failed to disclose reasons for the tests.
The police had requested the tests almost a month after Samson's arrest on March 9, 2008.
"Even to allow the police to take an accused for such tests, there should at least be a whisper in the application that the accused, who had been in police custody for 15 days, had not co-operated with the investigations and without the said scientific tests the prosecution is left without any clue," the Children's Court president Desmond D'Costa said.
Meanwhile, more evidence has come to light about the report submitted by Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad. TOI had reported on Wednesday that swab samples taken from Scarlett's mouth and vagina had tested negative for the presence of semen.
It is now learnt that the police had not only sent samples of Scarlett's vaginal, buccal and anal swabs and smear slides, pubic hair and her clothes, but also the urethral swabs and smear slides and pubic hair of both the accused, Samson and Placido Carvalho aka Shana Boy. Besides, samples of sand, sea water and pieces of Scarlett's liver and lungs were sent for examination to Hyderabad on March 19, 2008.
"The report has revealed that neither semen nor blood could be detected in Scarlett's vaginal, buccal or anal swabs or smear slides. Semen was not detected in the samples of her pubic hair," said a top police official, on conditions of anonymity.
The official also said that according to the report, there was no trace of male DNA in Scarlett's vaginal, buccal or anal swabs.
June 5,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Goa police request to subject Samson D'Souza, the main accused in the Scarlett Keeling rape and murder case, to narco analysis, brain signature profiling and psychological evaluation tests, including polygraph, has been rejected by the children's court.
The court questioned the constitutional validity of such scientific tests to which an accused has not consented and turned down the police request as they had failed to disclose reasons for the tests.
The police had requested the tests almost a month after Samson's arrest on March 9, 2008.
"Even to allow the police to take an accused for such tests, there should at least be a whisper in the application that the accused, who had been in police custody for 15 days, had not co-operated with the investigations and without the said scientific tests the prosecution is left without any clue," the Children's Court president Desmond D'Costa said.
Meanwhile, more evidence has come to light about the report submitted by Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad. TOI had reported on Wednesday that swab samples taken from Scarlett's mouth and vagina had tested negative for the presence of semen.
It is now learnt that the police had not only sent samples of Scarlett's vaginal, buccal and anal swabs and smear slides, pubic hair and her clothes, but also the urethral swabs and smear slides and pubic hair of both the accused, Samson and Placido Carvalho aka Shana Boy. Besides, samples of sand, sea water and pieces of Scarlett's liver and lungs were sent for examination to Hyderabad on March 19, 2008.
"The report has revealed that neither semen nor blood could be detected in Scarlett's vaginal, buccal or anal swabs or smear slides. Semen was not detected in the samples of her pubic hair," said a top police official, on conditions of anonymity.
The official also said that according to the report, there was no trace of male DNA in Scarlett's vaginal, buccal or anal swabs.
June 5,2008, The Times of India, Goa edition
Cops, NCW spar over Scarlett case
Cops, NCW spar over Scarlett case
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Even as the Goa police said that they had issued summons to the two members of the National Commission for Women who had visited Goa to investigate the alleged rape and murder of Scarlett, NCW member Nirmala Venkatesh said that the police have no power to summon the Commission.
The police had summoned the two NCW members, who after visiting Scarlett's mother Fiona Mackeown and going through Scarlett's photos clicked soon after her death, had announced to the media that the brutal crime of rape and murder was committed by more than three men. IGP Kishan Kumar confirmed that summons were issued to them.
Since Venkatesh had told mediapersons that "while one man probably injected morphine into her back, another man tried to silence her, the third man squeezed her and the fourth man must have raped her and then drowned her in water," the police had summoned them.
However Venkatesh denied receipt of any summons from the police. "NCW's implementing machinery is the police. How can the police issue summons to the Commission? Before we left Goa, we had met the Goa police and discussed everything with them."
Venkatesh added, "Our final report on Scarlett case is ready and we would soon release it."
CFSL report surprises forensic doctors
Panaji: Along with Scarlett's swabs, the police had sent to Hyderabad's CFSL, samples of sea water, pieces of Scarlett's lungs and liver. "They were subjected to acid digestion and subsequent microscopic examinations, and no diatoms (micro-organisms found in water) could be detected in them," added the top police official.
The absence of diatoms in all three samples has surprised the forensic doctors at Goa Medical College. "In all types of water, diatom is present and this test is done to see if the place of death differs from the place from where the body was found.
"However, the statement that no diatom could be detected in the samples of sea water, lungs and liver is misleading," added a forensic doctor.
June 5,2008, The Times of India, Goa editi
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Even as the Goa police said that they had issued summons to the two members of the National Commission for Women who had visited Goa to investigate the alleged rape and murder of Scarlett, NCW member Nirmala Venkatesh said that the police have no power to summon the Commission.
The police had summoned the two NCW members, who after visiting Scarlett's mother Fiona Mackeown and going through Scarlett's photos clicked soon after her death, had announced to the media that the brutal crime of rape and murder was committed by more than three men. IGP Kishan Kumar confirmed that summons were issued to them.
Since Venkatesh had told mediapersons that "while one man probably injected morphine into her back, another man tried to silence her, the third man squeezed her and the fourth man must have raped her and then drowned her in water," the police had summoned them.
However Venkatesh denied receipt of any summons from the police. "NCW's implementing machinery is the police. How can the police issue summons to the Commission? Before we left Goa, we had met the Goa police and discussed everything with them."
Venkatesh added, "Our final report on Scarlett case is ready and we would soon release it."
CFSL report surprises forensic doctors
Panaji: Along with Scarlett's swabs, the police had sent to Hyderabad's CFSL, samples of sea water, pieces of Scarlett's lungs and liver. "They were subjected to acid digestion and subsequent microscopic examinations, and no diatoms (micro-organisms found in water) could be detected in them," added the top police official.
The absence of diatoms in all three samples has surprised the forensic doctors at Goa Medical College. "In all types of water, diatom is present and this test is done to see if the place of death differs from the place from where the body was found.
"However, the statement that no diatom could be detected in the samples of sea water, lungs and liver is misleading," added a forensic doctor.
June 5,2008, The Times of India, Goa editi
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Scarlett swab report deals blow to cops
Scarlett swab report deals blow to cops
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: British teenager Scarlett Keeling may not have been raped on the night before her death. Swab samples taken from her mouth and vagina have tested negative for the presence of sperms, top police officials told TOI on Tuesday.
This deals a severe blow to the prosecution case. The police on Saturday had filed a provisional charge-sheet against the main accused under various sections including rape and murder.
SP (North) Bosco George confirmed the test reports have arrived from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad, but refused to comment on the findings.
The police claim that a drugged Scarlett was sexually assaulted by prime accused Samson D’Souza and then left in water on Anjuna beach, leading to her death. The police had arrested Samson based on another accused Placido Carvalho alias Shana Boy’s statement that he had seen a half naked (without his trousers and underwear) Samson lying atop the minor girl and in a position of having sex at 4.45 am. Even key witness Michael Mannion aka Masala Mike, a Britisher, had confirmed this.
Later Shana was also arrested allegedly for administering drugs with the common intent to commit rape and murder. He was released on bail by the Children’s Court as there was absolutely no material to indicate that he had given Ecstasy tablets or cocaine to Scarlett nor was there any material to indicate his nexus with the offences of rape and murder.
The provisional 287-page charge-sheet filed by the Anjuna police seeks to try Samson and Placido under sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape), 201 (disappearance of evidence), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) and 109 (abetment) of the Indian Penal Code and under section 8(1) 2 of Goa Children’s Act.
The police have also submitted a list of 87 witnesses to be examined in the case. The charge-sheet also alleges that the deceased was administered drugs and raped before the murder and that she was drowned in the sea on February 18, 2008.
2008 Jun 04 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: British teenager Scarlett Keeling may not have been raped on the night before her death. Swab samples taken from her mouth and vagina have tested negative for the presence of sperms, top police officials told TOI on Tuesday.
This deals a severe blow to the prosecution case. The police on Saturday had filed a provisional charge-sheet against the main accused under various sections including rape and murder.
SP (North) Bosco George confirmed the test reports have arrived from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Hyderabad, but refused to comment on the findings.
The police claim that a drugged Scarlett was sexually assaulted by prime accused Samson D’Souza and then left in water on Anjuna beach, leading to her death. The police had arrested Samson based on another accused Placido Carvalho alias Shana Boy’s statement that he had seen a half naked (without his trousers and underwear) Samson lying atop the minor girl and in a position of having sex at 4.45 am. Even key witness Michael Mannion aka Masala Mike, a Britisher, had confirmed this.
Later Shana was also arrested allegedly for administering drugs with the common intent to commit rape and murder. He was released on bail by the Children’s Court as there was absolutely no material to indicate that he had given Ecstasy tablets or cocaine to Scarlett nor was there any material to indicate his nexus with the offences of rape and murder.
The provisional 287-page charge-sheet filed by the Anjuna police seeks to try Samson and Placido under sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape), 201 (disappearance of evidence), 328 (causing hurt by means of poison) and 109 (abetment) of the Indian Penal Code and under section 8(1) 2 of Goa Children’s Act.
The police have also submitted a list of 87 witnesses to be examined in the case. The charge-sheet also alleges that the deceased was administered drugs and raped before the murder and that she was drowned in the sea on February 18, 2008.
2008 Jun 04 Times Of India Goa
Child activists flayed over Scarlett case
Child activists flayed over Scarlett case
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Drawing similarities between the Freddy Peats case and the alleged rape and murder of Scarlett Keeling in Goa, noted child activist Sheela Barse, said that in both cases the “so-called” child activists in Goa have remained silent, even as the victim was being victimized.
“Scarlett’s image was tarnished, but what had she done to deserve such a treatment. How can the child right’s activists allow such allegations to be made about the minor girl, when she is not around to defend herself. Don’t we have some concept of respecting the victim,” said Barse. She was in Goa to speak at a workshop on “Caring for the mentally challenged” at Goa University on Friday.
Scarlett was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Anjuna beach on February 18. First the Goa police dismissed it as drowning death, but later registered a case of rape and murder. However, as her mother Fiona Mackeown’s cry for justice grew louder, the allegations of Scarlett leading an easy life of men, booze and drugs spread like wildfire. However, throughout the whole episode, the child activists in Goa maintained complete silence.
Barse, who almost single handedly ensured justice for the abused children by getting paedophile Freddy Peats convicted, recollected that even when Peats case exposed the paedophile racket in Goa, many including some activists, tried to indulge in character assasination of the minor victims.
“To minimize the extent of crime, the accused pass the blame on the victim to restrict public outcry. Maligning Scarlett by stating that she had an easy lifestyle on the basis of what witnesses are saying is not correct. A minor child has been raped and murdered and how can the child activists remain silent on the issue,” questioned Barse.
“The situation is no different from what happened in 1991, when it was alleged that the minor boys who were exploited by Peats had become dull as they didn’t have the excitement of sexual experience anymore,” she said, blaming the “so-called” children’s activists in Goa for failing to get any paedophile convicted in the state. The only paedophile to be convicted in the state was Peats, while many others managed to escape scot-free due to lack of evidence or with witnesses turning hostile.
But then how many today have the conviction and commitment of Barse? Afterall, she is the woman, who on seeing the Peats’ case falter, had got the original chargesheet withdrawn and filed a fresh chargesheet in the case. “The greatest contradiction that I see amongst present group of child activists is that when a prostitute alleges rape, they stand up and state that her being a prostitute doesn’t mean that anyone can rape her without consent but they are silent when an ordinary minor is raped and murdered”.
She added, “Background of the person is irrelevant to the crime. Every child has their rights and the child activists need to ensure that their rights are protected”.
2008 May 19 Times Of India Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Drawing similarities between the Freddy Peats case and the alleged rape and murder of Scarlett Keeling in Goa, noted child activist Sheela Barse, said that in both cases the “so-called” child activists in Goa have remained silent, even as the victim was being victimized.
“Scarlett’s image was tarnished, but what had she done to deserve such a treatment. How can the child right’s activists allow such allegations to be made about the minor girl, when she is not around to defend herself. Don’t we have some concept of respecting the victim,” said Barse. She was in Goa to speak at a workshop on “Caring for the mentally challenged” at Goa University on Friday.
Scarlett was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Anjuna beach on February 18. First the Goa police dismissed it as drowning death, but later registered a case of rape and murder. However, as her mother Fiona Mackeown’s cry for justice grew louder, the allegations of Scarlett leading an easy life of men, booze and drugs spread like wildfire. However, throughout the whole episode, the child activists in Goa maintained complete silence.
Barse, who almost single handedly ensured justice for the abused children by getting paedophile Freddy Peats convicted, recollected that even when Peats case exposed the paedophile racket in Goa, many including some activists, tried to indulge in character assasination of the minor victims.
“To minimize the extent of crime, the accused pass the blame on the victim to restrict public outcry. Maligning Scarlett by stating that she had an easy lifestyle on the basis of what witnesses are saying is not correct. A minor child has been raped and murdered and how can the child activists remain silent on the issue,” questioned Barse.
“The situation is no different from what happened in 1991, when it was alleged that the minor boys who were exploited by Peats had become dull as they didn’t have the excitement of sexual experience anymore,” she said, blaming the “so-called” children’s activists in Goa for failing to get any paedophile convicted in the state. The only paedophile to be convicted in the state was Peats, while many others managed to escape scot-free due to lack of evidence or with witnesses turning hostile.
But then how many today have the conviction and commitment of Barse? Afterall, she is the woman, who on seeing the Peats’ case falter, had got the original chargesheet withdrawn and filed a fresh chargesheet in the case. “The greatest contradiction that I see amongst present group of child activists is that when a prostitute alleges rape, they stand up and state that her being a prostitute doesn’t mean that anyone can rape her without consent but they are silent when an ordinary minor is raped and murdered”.
She added, “Background of the person is irrelevant to the crime. Every child has their rights and the child activists need to ensure that their rights are protected”.
2008 May 19 Times Of India Goa
Will Scarlette film show real Goa?
REEL THREAT
Will Scarlette film show real Goa?
Bharti Dubey & Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Given Bollywood’s penchant of depicting Goa and Goans in a distorted manner, Bollywood director Prabhakar Shukla’s idea of a film, Rave Party, based on British teenager Scarlette Keeling, has stirred a hornet’s nest. Scarlette, one may recall was allegedly drugged, raped and murdered on a beach in Goa under mysterious circumstances in February this year. Shukla is looking cast Bollywood star Katrina Kaif in the lead role.
The question on everyone’s lips is — will the film be a true depiction of Goa? Tiatrist Prince Jacob is wary. Speaking to TOI he said, “Don’t label the film as a Christian girl’s story. If the filmmaker tries to project a false stereotype image of Goans, we should oppose the making of such film. The state government shouldn’t allow any unrealistic movie which depicts Goa as land of sex, drugs and sin to be shot here.”
Shukla assures that he will project the characters in the right manner. He said, “I respect all cultures and will keep in mind the culture of Goa while making the film and not give anyone a reason to object. Every community has good and bad elements which may be seen in the film. Besides, the case is still under investigation and before I start the film I will definitely speak to the government authorities to get their official version which I will incorporate in the film. I am leaving for the United Kingdom next week to get a clearance from Scarlette’s mother Fiona.”
Hindi film industry’s depiction of Goa and Goans, though colourful, has often been distorted. Be it a drunk Anthony Gonsalves, a sexy fisherwoman Bobby or the drug mafia-based film Jalwa, Bollywood has allegdly always portrayed a flawed image of the state. Films don’t tell complete truth: Talak
Panaji: Bollywood director Prabhakar Shukla is planning a film on Scarlette Keeling, who was raped and murdered on a Goa beach recently. Goans don’t mind a filmmaker showing the truth through the medium of cinema. “Movies are a reflection of society. I may not like what is being presented as it gives a notorious reputation to Goa and Goans. But the incident happened in the state and the filmmaker has creative freedom,” said Dr Pramod Salgaonkar, chairperson of Goa State Commission for Women.
Scarlette’s life and death in Goa is a perfect plot for a Bollywood masala movie — drugs, sex, crime. “So far, Bollywood has never projected the true Goa. As long as a filmmaker sticks to facts, it’s welcome. But it wouldn’t be fair to judge Goa or its culture on one incident,” said Konkani writer Damodar Mauzo.
By Shukla’s own admission, the incident has inspired him to expose the seedier side of Goa, which has now become a haven for drug dealers and addicts. Shukla had said, “The film is against drug abuse and the exploitation of tourists. Not just in India, but the world over, real-life cinema is attracting curiosity.”
However, Konkani filmmaker Rajendra Talak doesn’t buy this argument. “Films may be a partial reflection of society but it doesn’t tell the complete truth. Today films are made for time-pass and hardly have any impact on society or people,” said Talak.
Shukla had earlier made the film Kahani Gudiya Ki based on the truelife story of Gudiya, a 26-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh who chose to remain with her second husband Taufeeq even after her first husband, a solider Mohammad Aarif, returned in 2004. Traumatised, she finally died in 2006 in an army hospital.
2008 May 14 Times Of India Goa
Will Scarlette film show real Goa?
Bharti Dubey & Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Given Bollywood’s penchant of depicting Goa and Goans in a distorted manner, Bollywood director Prabhakar Shukla’s idea of a film, Rave Party, based on British teenager Scarlette Keeling, has stirred a hornet’s nest. Scarlette, one may recall was allegedly drugged, raped and murdered on a beach in Goa under mysterious circumstances in February this year. Shukla is looking cast Bollywood star Katrina Kaif in the lead role.
The question on everyone’s lips is — will the film be a true depiction of Goa? Tiatrist Prince Jacob is wary. Speaking to TOI he said, “Don’t label the film as a Christian girl’s story. If the filmmaker tries to project a false stereotype image of Goans, we should oppose the making of such film. The state government shouldn’t allow any unrealistic movie which depicts Goa as land of sex, drugs and sin to be shot here.”
Shukla assures that he will project the characters in the right manner. He said, “I respect all cultures and will keep in mind the culture of Goa while making the film and not give anyone a reason to object. Every community has good and bad elements which may be seen in the film. Besides, the case is still under investigation and before I start the film I will definitely speak to the government authorities to get their official version which I will incorporate in the film. I am leaving for the United Kingdom next week to get a clearance from Scarlette’s mother Fiona.”
Hindi film industry’s depiction of Goa and Goans, though colourful, has often been distorted. Be it a drunk Anthony Gonsalves, a sexy fisherwoman Bobby or the drug mafia-based film Jalwa, Bollywood has allegdly always portrayed a flawed image of the state. Films don’t tell complete truth: Talak
Panaji: Bollywood director Prabhakar Shukla is planning a film on Scarlette Keeling, who was raped and murdered on a Goa beach recently. Goans don’t mind a filmmaker showing the truth through the medium of cinema. “Movies are a reflection of society. I may not like what is being presented as it gives a notorious reputation to Goa and Goans. But the incident happened in the state and the filmmaker has creative freedom,” said Dr Pramod Salgaonkar, chairperson of Goa State Commission for Women.
Scarlette’s life and death in Goa is a perfect plot for a Bollywood masala movie — drugs, sex, crime. “So far, Bollywood has never projected the true Goa. As long as a filmmaker sticks to facts, it’s welcome. But it wouldn’t be fair to judge Goa or its culture on one incident,” said Konkani writer Damodar Mauzo.
By Shukla’s own admission, the incident has inspired him to expose the seedier side of Goa, which has now become a haven for drug dealers and addicts. Shukla had said, “The film is against drug abuse and the exploitation of tourists. Not just in India, but the world over, real-life cinema is attracting curiosity.”
However, Konkani filmmaker Rajendra Talak doesn’t buy this argument. “Films may be a partial reflection of society but it doesn’t tell the complete truth. Today films are made for time-pass and hardly have any impact on society or people,” said Talak.
Shukla had earlier made the film Kahani Gudiya Ki based on the truelife story of Gudiya, a 26-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh who chose to remain with her second husband Taufeeq even after her first husband, a solider Mohammad Aarif, returned in 2004. Traumatised, she finally died in 2006 in an army hospital.
2008 May 14 Times Of India Goa
‘Scarlett’s vital organs missing’
‘Scarlett’s vital organs missing’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Shocked with the revelations made in the UK autopsy report that vital organs from British teenager Scarlett Keeling’s body are missing, the aggrieved mother has decided to return to India to pursue her fight for justice.
The forensic autopsy conducted by a doctor of the Coroners Court in Devon, UK, revealed that Scarlett’s kidneys, stomach and uterus were missing. Scarlett was found dead on Goa’s Anjuna beach on February 18. Two autopsies were conducted on the body in Goa, the second indicating that the case should be treated as homicide. “I have been informed that the stomach, both the kidneys and the uterus are missing. The doctors here have taken samples from Scarlett’s femur bone to determine how she died,’’ said her mother, Fiona MacKeown, over the telephone from Devon.
“I presume it will be at least a month before we are able to give Scarlett a decent burial. Therefore, I have decided to return to India within a week. I haven’t given up,” said Fiona. However, there is no mention of missing parts in the autopsy reports submitted by the doctors at Goa Medical College.
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Shocked with the revelations made in the UK autopsy report that vital organs from British teenager Scarlett Keeling’s body are missing, the aggrieved mother has decided to return to India to pursue her fight for justice.
The forensic autopsy conducted by a doctor of the Coroners Court in Devon, UK, revealed that Scarlett’s kidneys, stomach and uterus were missing. Scarlett was found dead on Goa’s Anjuna beach on February 18. Two autopsies were conducted on the body in Goa, the second indicating that the case should be treated as homicide. “I have been informed that the stomach, both the kidneys and the uterus are missing. The doctors here have taken samples from Scarlett’s femur bone to determine how she died,’’ said her mother, Fiona MacKeown, over the telephone from Devon.
“I presume it will be at least a month before we are able to give Scarlett a decent burial. Therefore, I have decided to return to India within a week. I haven’t given up,” said Fiona. However, there is no mention of missing parts in the autopsy reports submitted by the doctors at Goa Medical College.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
2nd autopsy says Brit was murdered in Goa
2nd autopsy says Brit was murdered in Goa
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Four persons were detained in Goa late on Saturday after a second autopsy on the body of British teenager Scarlette Eden Keeling confirmed that the 15-year-old was murdered and did not die of drowning as police had claimed.
A panel of three doctors added that though they could not confirm rape, there were strong indications of sexual violence because of injuries in the vagina. The report, which will add to the murkiness of Goa’s tourism sector, urged the sub-divisional magistrate in charge of the case to investigate Scarlette’s death as a homicide. However, the findings of the second autopsy, which came after the girl’s mother, Fiona MacKeown, mounted pressure by refusing to take Scarlette’s body from the government morgue, were not being released to the family. She is determined to file a complaint against the police for cover-up.
Two of the four detained in the case are alleged drug dealers and another is the owner of a cafe, adding fuel to the theories that Scarlette was the victim of a sex and drug ring. Ever since her barely-clad body was recovered from Anjuna beach, her mother has been alleging that multiple bruises on the corpse clearly pointed to rape and murder. But the police ignored her, saying the first autopsy had established death due to drowning. Goa minister hits out at cops
Panaji: The confirmation that Briton Scarlette Keeling was murdered has exposed the dark underbelly of Goa’s otherwise picture-postcard touristy life. According to police statistics, of the 25 people held on drug charges in ’06, 15 were foreigners. The number has risen since ’04, when the first numbers are logged.
Even as Scarlette’s second autopsy report was presented to a magistrate, the cops held on to the drowning story. “We are conducting the second autopsy because we’re not satisfied with the first,’’ IGP Kishan Kumar said. Worried that bad publicity was hurting the tourism cash cow, Goa tourism minister Francisco X Pacheco demanded strong action against Anjuna police station in charge Nerlon Albuquerque and doctors who had conducted the first autopsy. He said he had apprehended the dubious role of police as it was the same officer and doctors who were involved in the case of an autopsy done on a Goan seaman, Floriono Diniz, who was said to have ended his life. But murder was established after 97 injuries were found on his body.
Doctors say Scarlette Keeling was sexually assaulted as well
2008 Mar 09 Times Of India Mumbai
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Four persons were detained in Goa late on Saturday after a second autopsy on the body of British teenager Scarlette Eden Keeling confirmed that the 15-year-old was murdered and did not die of drowning as police had claimed.
A panel of three doctors added that though they could not confirm rape, there were strong indications of sexual violence because of injuries in the vagina. The report, which will add to the murkiness of Goa’s tourism sector, urged the sub-divisional magistrate in charge of the case to investigate Scarlette’s death as a homicide. However, the findings of the second autopsy, which came after the girl’s mother, Fiona MacKeown, mounted pressure by refusing to take Scarlette’s body from the government morgue, were not being released to the family. She is determined to file a complaint against the police for cover-up.
Two of the four detained in the case are alleged drug dealers and another is the owner of a cafe, adding fuel to the theories that Scarlette was the victim of a sex and drug ring. Ever since her barely-clad body was recovered from Anjuna beach, her mother has been alleging that multiple bruises on the corpse clearly pointed to rape and murder. But the police ignored her, saying the first autopsy had established death due to drowning. Goa minister hits out at cops
Panaji: The confirmation that Briton Scarlette Keeling was murdered has exposed the dark underbelly of Goa’s otherwise picture-postcard touristy life. According to police statistics, of the 25 people held on drug charges in ’06, 15 were foreigners. The number has risen since ’04, when the first numbers are logged.
Even as Scarlette’s second autopsy report was presented to a magistrate, the cops held on to the drowning story. “We are conducting the second autopsy because we’re not satisfied with the first,’’ IGP Kishan Kumar said. Worried that bad publicity was hurting the tourism cash cow, Goa tourism minister Francisco X Pacheco demanded strong action against Anjuna police station in charge Nerlon Albuquerque and doctors who had conducted the first autopsy. He said he had apprehended the dubious role of police as it was the same officer and doctors who were involved in the case of an autopsy done on a Goan seaman, Floriono Diniz, who was said to have ended his life. But murder was established after 97 injuries were found on his body.
Doctors say Scarlette Keeling was sexually assaulted as well
2008 Mar 09 Times Of India Mumbai
‘Scarlett’s vital organs missing’
‘Scarlett’s vital organs missing’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Shocked with the revelations made in the UK autopsy report that vital organs from British teenager Scarlett Keeling’s body are missing, the aggrieved mother has decided to return to India to pursue her fight for justice.
The forensic autopsy conducted by a doctor of the Coroners Court in Devon, UK, revealed that Scarlett’s kidneys, stomach and uterus were missing. Scarlett was found dead on Goa’s Anjuna beach on February 18. Two autopsies were conducted on the body in Goa, the second indicating that the case should be treated as homicide. “I have been informed that the stomach, both the kidneys and the uterus are missing. The doctors here have taken samples from Scarlett’s femur bone to determine how she died,’’ said her mother, Fiona MacKeown, over the telephone from Devon.
“I presume it will be at least a month before we are able to give Scarlett a decent burial. Therefore, I have decided to return to India within a week. I haven’t given up,” said Fiona. However, there is no mention of missing parts in the autopsy reports submitted by the doctors at Goa Medical College.
Scarlett’s mom will fly to India in a week to fight the case
2008 Apr 14 Times Of India Mumbai
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Shocked with the revelations made in the UK autopsy report that vital organs from British teenager Scarlett Keeling’s body are missing, the aggrieved mother has decided to return to India to pursue her fight for justice.
The forensic autopsy conducted by a doctor of the Coroners Court in Devon, UK, revealed that Scarlett’s kidneys, stomach and uterus were missing. Scarlett was found dead on Goa’s Anjuna beach on February 18. Two autopsies were conducted on the body in Goa, the second indicating that the case should be treated as homicide. “I have been informed that the stomach, both the kidneys and the uterus are missing. The doctors here have taken samples from Scarlett’s femur bone to determine how she died,’’ said her mother, Fiona MacKeown, over the telephone from Devon.
“I presume it will be at least a month before we are able to give Scarlett a decent burial. Therefore, I have decided to return to India within a week. I haven’t given up,” said Fiona. However, there is no mention of missing parts in the autopsy reports submitted by the doctors at Goa Medical College.
Scarlett’s mom will fly to India in a week to fight the case
2008 Apr 14 Times Of India Mumbai
Goa cop probing Scarlett death case gets the sack
Goa cop probing Scarlett death case gets the sack
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Goa police, after facing a lot of flak for their shoddy investigation into the rape-murder of British teenager Scarlett Keeling, have finally got their act together. The police have dismissed the officer-in-charge of Anjuna police station, PSI Nerlon Albuquerque.
IGP Kishan Kumar said Nerlon had been dismissed in public interest on Thursday night for allegedly sabotaging the investigations. PSI Nerlon was in charge of the Anjuna police station when Scarlett’s half-naked body was found on Anjuna beach.
It is reliably learnt that the IGP, in his dismissal order, has clearly mentioned that if a police officer can so desperately put the entire investigation on the wrong track then there is every chance that he will interfere in the future proceedings of the case as well as in the departmental inquiry.Nerlon was placed under suspension with immediate effect on March 13, 2008 and a preliminary inquiry was ordered by the IGP into the lapses committed by him.The inquiry report revealed that he had adopted a callous attitude and had not acted despite being informed of the incident. He is said to have tried to hide facts and hush up the case, besides suppressing important clues and shielding the culprits.
The report observed that it was not just a case of negligence or ignorance but a case wherein a police officer had deliberately committed lapses to sabotage an investigation. “All lapses are of very serious nature and PSI Nerlon put the entire investigation on the wrong track by not examining the eyewitnesses, not searching for clues at the incident spot and not picking up any clue from the spot,’’ a senior police official said.
The preliminary report said though the witness and the accused—Placido Carvalho and Samson D’Souza—had been present in the area and brought to the police station, no action was taken. It added that Nerlon didn’t register the offence despite complaints from Scarlett’s mother, clinching evidence in the form of Samson’s orange-coloured slippers near Scarlett’s body and the presence of the accused persons and witnesses revealing the chain of events leading to the crime.
2008 Apr 12 Times Of India Mumbai
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: The Goa police, after facing a lot of flak for their shoddy investigation into the rape-murder of British teenager Scarlett Keeling, have finally got their act together. The police have dismissed the officer-in-charge of Anjuna police station, PSI Nerlon Albuquerque.
IGP Kishan Kumar said Nerlon had been dismissed in public interest on Thursday night for allegedly sabotaging the investigations. PSI Nerlon was in charge of the Anjuna police station when Scarlett’s half-naked body was found on Anjuna beach.
It is reliably learnt that the IGP, in his dismissal order, has clearly mentioned that if a police officer can so desperately put the entire investigation on the wrong track then there is every chance that he will interfere in the future proceedings of the case as well as in the departmental inquiry.Nerlon was placed under suspension with immediate effect on March 13, 2008 and a preliminary inquiry was ordered by the IGP into the lapses committed by him.The inquiry report revealed that he had adopted a callous attitude and had not acted despite being informed of the incident. He is said to have tried to hide facts and hush up the case, besides suppressing important clues and shielding the culprits.
The report observed that it was not just a case of negligence or ignorance but a case wherein a police officer had deliberately committed lapses to sabotage an investigation. “All lapses are of very serious nature and PSI Nerlon put the entire investigation on the wrong track by not examining the eyewitnesses, not searching for clues at the incident spot and not picking up any clue from the spot,’’ a senior police official said.
The preliminary report said though the witness and the accused—Placido Carvalho and Samson D’Souza—had been present in the area and brought to the police station, no action was taken. It added that Nerlon didn’t register the offence despite complaints from Scarlett’s mother, clinching evidence in the form of Samson’s orange-coloured slippers near Scarlett’s body and the presence of the accused persons and witnesses revealing the chain of events leading to the crime.
2008 Apr 12 Times Of India Mumbai
Scarlett case: NCW slams Goa police
Scarlett case: NCW slams Goa police
Cops Accused Of Misleading The Probe, Tampering With And Destroying Evidence
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In a major embarrassment to the Digambar Kamat-led Goa government, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has said the Goa cops’ investigations into the rape and murder of Scarlett Keeling are “completely misleading’’.
“From the beginning, the police have destroyed evidence. They have spoiled the case and there are big lapses in the investigation. The police officers we met have accepted that there are lapses,’’ said commission member Nirmala Venkatesh in Panaji on Sunday.
After meeting Goa IGP Kishan Kumar, North Goa SP Bosco George and investigating officer Braz Menezes, the two-member NCW team said it would write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and home minister Shivraj Patil to keep a watch on the Goa police’s probe.
The NCW members suspected foul play by cops as an important piece of evidence—Lui Cafe, a temporary shack where Scarlett spent her last moments—had been removed.
“It is shocking that the most important evidence has been destroyed. The cops should have safeguarded it for the sake of the investigation. This shows that the police want to destroy evidence and destroy the case purposefully, maybe to serve some vested interests,’’ said Venkatesh. The NCW members also questioned the authenticity of the viscera report from the forensic laboratory at Kalina in Mumbai. “The viscera was sent for examination by the Goa cops after a month. Prima facie, it seems that it has been tampered with,’’ said another NCW member Sweety Sood.
After going through Scarlett’s photographs taken soon after her body was found on Anjuna beach in the morning of February 18, Venkatesh said: “After going through the photographs, we have come to the conclusion that a brutal crime was committed by more than three men. While one man probably injected morphine into her back, another tried to silence her, the third held her and the fourth must have raped her and then drowned her.’’ The members, however, said they would discuss the matter with forensic experts. “The Goa police want to close the case, but we will never allow that to happen,’’ Venkatesh said.
Meanwhile, Scarlett’s mother Fiona said on Sunday that she will seek the help of Britain’s Scotland Yard in probing the case once she returns to the UK with her daughter’s body.
“I will be asking for the Scotland Yard’s help in probing the case,” said Fiona on the eve of her departure to London.
2008 Mar 31 Times Of India Mumbai
Cops Accused Of Misleading The Probe, Tampering With And Destroying Evidence
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: In a major embarrassment to the Digambar Kamat-led Goa government, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has said the Goa cops’ investigations into the rape and murder of Scarlett Keeling are “completely misleading’’.
“From the beginning, the police have destroyed evidence. They have spoiled the case and there are big lapses in the investigation. The police officers we met have accepted that there are lapses,’’ said commission member Nirmala Venkatesh in Panaji on Sunday.
After meeting Goa IGP Kishan Kumar, North Goa SP Bosco George and investigating officer Braz Menezes, the two-member NCW team said it would write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and home minister Shivraj Patil to keep a watch on the Goa police’s probe.
The NCW members suspected foul play by cops as an important piece of evidence—Lui Cafe, a temporary shack where Scarlett spent her last moments—had been removed.
“It is shocking that the most important evidence has been destroyed. The cops should have safeguarded it for the sake of the investigation. This shows that the police want to destroy evidence and destroy the case purposefully, maybe to serve some vested interests,’’ said Venkatesh. The NCW members also questioned the authenticity of the viscera report from the forensic laboratory at Kalina in Mumbai. “The viscera was sent for examination by the Goa cops after a month. Prima facie, it seems that it has been tampered with,’’ said another NCW member Sweety Sood.
After going through Scarlett’s photographs taken soon after her body was found on Anjuna beach in the morning of February 18, Venkatesh said: “After going through the photographs, we have come to the conclusion that a brutal crime was committed by more than three men. While one man probably injected morphine into her back, another tried to silence her, the third held her and the fourth must have raped her and then drowned her.’’ The members, however, said they would discuss the matter with forensic experts. “The Goa police want to close the case, but we will never allow that to happen,’’ Venkatesh said.
Meanwhile, Scarlett’s mother Fiona said on Sunday that she will seek the help of Britain’s Scotland Yard in probing the case once she returns to the UK with her daughter’s body.
“I will be asking for the Scotland Yard’s help in probing the case,” said Fiona on the eve of her departure to London.
2008 Mar 31 Times Of India Mumbai
Now, justice will be done: Fiona
Now, justice will be done: Fiona
Scarlett Mum Won’t Be Charged With Neglect, Rests Easy
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Fiona MacKeown appears relaxed and even smiles as she talks about her teenage daughter and the impending journey back home. The uncertainty and distraught that was writ large on her face for the past few weeks has now been replaced with a sense of justice and self-confidence.
“In a day or two, I will take my daughter back home to perform the last rites. I hope to be with my children during the weekend,” said Fiona.
Fiona is hopeful she will be with Scarlett in their last few moments together. The 15-year-old Briton was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Anjuna beach on February 18. Though the case was initially dismissed as death due to drowning, Fiona raised a hue and cry, forcing a second autopsy which indicated homicide.
Fiona had insisted she wouldn’t take her daughter’s body back home till the state government ordered a CBI inquiry. Now with CM Digambar Kamat giving in, Fiona has a reason to smile. “I am relieved. Now justice will be done and the people who wronged my daughter will go to jail,” said Fiona, who ruffled a few feathers when she alleged that there is a nexus between politicians, police and the drug mafia in Goa. Fearing a threat to her life, she had sought police protection, which she has been granted since Monday.
Meanwhile, the state police on Tuesday clarified that they will not charge Fiona under the Goa Children’s Act for neglecting her daughter as she had feared earlier.
Dismissing reports that she was using her daughter’s death to gain sympathy back home and earn quick bucks, besides big insurance money, Fiona said, “Rubbish. I am not a pauper or a criminal. I am just a mother fighting to ensure that her daughter gets justice.”
Fiona speaks at her lawyer’s house in Porvorim on Tuesday. She has been given police protection since Monday
2008 Mar 26 Times Of India Mumbai
Scarlett Mum Won’t Be Charged With Neglect, Rests Easy
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Fiona MacKeown appears relaxed and even smiles as she talks about her teenage daughter and the impending journey back home. The uncertainty and distraught that was writ large on her face for the past few weeks has now been replaced with a sense of justice and self-confidence.
“In a day or two, I will take my daughter back home to perform the last rites. I hope to be with my children during the weekend,” said Fiona.
Fiona is hopeful she will be with Scarlett in their last few moments together. The 15-year-old Briton was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Anjuna beach on February 18. Though the case was initially dismissed as death due to drowning, Fiona raised a hue and cry, forcing a second autopsy which indicated homicide.
Fiona had insisted she wouldn’t take her daughter’s body back home till the state government ordered a CBI inquiry. Now with CM Digambar Kamat giving in, Fiona has a reason to smile. “I am relieved. Now justice will be done and the people who wronged my daughter will go to jail,” said Fiona, who ruffled a few feathers when she alleged that there is a nexus between politicians, police and the drug mafia in Goa. Fearing a threat to her life, she had sought police protection, which she has been granted since Monday.
Meanwhile, the state police on Tuesday clarified that they will not charge Fiona under the Goa Children’s Act for neglecting her daughter as she had feared earlier.
Dismissing reports that she was using her daughter’s death to gain sympathy back home and earn quick bucks, besides big insurance money, Fiona said, “Rubbish. I am not a pauper or a criminal. I am just a mother fighting to ensure that her daughter gets justice.”
Fiona speaks at her lawyer’s house in Porvorim on Tuesday. She has been given police protection since Monday
2008 Mar 26 Times Of India Mumbai
Goa for CBI probe into Scarlett case
Goa for CBI probe into Scarlett case
Brit Teen’s Mom To Take Her Body Home Today
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Finally, British national Fiona MacKeown has some reason to smile, with the Goa government deciding to recommend a CBI probe into the rape and murder of her daughter Scarlett Keeling.
“Within two days, we will write to the Central government, requesting them to hand over the case to the CBI. We have nothing to hide,’’ said Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat on Monday night. Fiona, who has got police protection, said she was happy with the decision. “Today is my birthday. This is the best birthday gift I would have ever got.’’
Scarlett was on a holiday with her family in Goa when she was found dead on Anjuna beach on February 18. Ever since the teen’s body was found, her mother had been demanding a CBI probe. She had even blamed the state government for trying to cover up the “murder”. The Goa police had initially claimed that it was a case of drowning, but a second autopsy said the teen was drugged, raped and left on the beach to die. Fiona had last Saturday said she would approach the Bombay high court for a CBI probe. Till a few week ago, Kamat had refused Fiona’s demand for the CBI probe. But with the pressure increasing, he finally agreed for the probe.
“Some politicians may be involved in the drug trade. We will take necessary steps to curb the drug menace,’’ said Goa home minister Ravi Naik, who, along with DGP B S Brar, has also been blamed by Fiona for helping the culprits. The government also suspended Goa Medical College Forensic department head Dr Silvano Sapeco, who had conducted the first autopsy, which said Scarlett had died due to drowning.
Meanwhile, sources close to Fiona confirmed that she is planning to take Scarlett’s body to the UK on Tuesday.
2008 Mar 25 Times Of India Mumbai
Brit Teen’s Mom To Take Her Body Home Today
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: Finally, British national Fiona MacKeown has some reason to smile, with the Goa government deciding to recommend a CBI probe into the rape and murder of her daughter Scarlett Keeling.
“Within two days, we will write to the Central government, requesting them to hand over the case to the CBI. We have nothing to hide,’’ said Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat on Monday night. Fiona, who has got police protection, said she was happy with the decision. “Today is my birthday. This is the best birthday gift I would have ever got.’’
Scarlett was on a holiday with her family in Goa when she was found dead on Anjuna beach on February 18. Ever since the teen’s body was found, her mother had been demanding a CBI probe. She had even blamed the state government for trying to cover up the “murder”. The Goa police had initially claimed that it was a case of drowning, but a second autopsy said the teen was drugged, raped and left on the beach to die. Fiona had last Saturday said she would approach the Bombay high court for a CBI probe. Till a few week ago, Kamat had refused Fiona’s demand for the CBI probe. But with the pressure increasing, he finally agreed for the probe.
“Some politicians may be involved in the drug trade. We will take necessary steps to curb the drug menace,’’ said Goa home minister Ravi Naik, who, along with DGP B S Brar, has also been blamed by Fiona for helping the culprits. The government also suspended Goa Medical College Forensic department head Dr Silvano Sapeco, who had conducted the first autopsy, which said Scarlett had died due to drowning.
Meanwhile, sources close to Fiona confirmed that she is planning to take Scarlett’s body to the UK on Tuesday.
2008 Mar 25 Times Of India Mumbai
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
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
Fiona to move HC as 1st autopsy doc now cries murder
Fiona to move HC as 1st autopsy doc now cries murder
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: There’s more trouble for the Goa police in the Scarlett Keeling case. The police, who have faced flak for their probe into the death of the British girl, found themselves in a bigger cesspool on Saturday with the three forensic experts who had conducted the second autopsy alleging that they had not received any co-operation from the police.
And, in a startling revelation, Dr Silvano Sapeco, who had conducted the first autopsy on Scarlett, has contradicted the police’s claim that she had been drugged, sexually assaulted and left to drown. Sources said Dr Sapeco, in a fresh report submitted to the police, said Scarlett had not been over-drugged before being raped. He said she was forcibly drowned and murdered. His report also said the bruises on Scarlett’s body suggested a struggle.
Scarlett’s mother Fiona MacKeown has decided to move the Goa bench of the Bombay HC next week. “We are going to the HC to seek a CBI inquiry. I feel cheated and am frustrated with the Goa police. They are more interested in looking into my past than catching the accused,’’ Fiona alleged. New claims have no legal standing
I’m still to read the report. The investigating officer informed me about 6 pm that he had received a fresh forensic report from Dr Sapeco,’’ North Goa SP Bosco George said. However, Dr Sapeco’s new report, which throws fresh insight into Scarlett’s death, has no legal meaning.
“Only when a forensic doctor keeps the cause of the death reserved can they give new insights into the cause of death. But in the case of Scarlett, Dr Sapeco, in his first autopsy report, had clearly stated that the cause of death was due to drowning. So, he can’t give any new insights as an afterthought,’’ said a top police official. The evidently surprised GMC Dean Dr V N Jindal refused to comment on the issue.
Meanwhile, the three-member forensic experts’ panel headed by Dr E J Rodrigues has written to chief secretary J P Singh, north Goa SP Bosco George, SDM M V Khorjuenkar and Dr Jindal alleging lack of co-operation from the police. The letter was sent on March 19, when the police had pressured the doctors to conduct an ossification test on Scarlett without Fiona’s nod. They have complained they had not received any co-operation from the police from the very start of the case. This attitude, they said, had hampered the process of administration of justice. TNN
2008 Mar 23 Times Of India Mumbai
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: There’s more trouble for the Goa police in the Scarlett Keeling case. The police, who have faced flak for their probe into the death of the British girl, found themselves in a bigger cesspool on Saturday with the three forensic experts who had conducted the second autopsy alleging that they had not received any co-operation from the police.
And, in a startling revelation, Dr Silvano Sapeco, who had conducted the first autopsy on Scarlett, has contradicted the police’s claim that she had been drugged, sexually assaulted and left to drown. Sources said Dr Sapeco, in a fresh report submitted to the police, said Scarlett had not been over-drugged before being raped. He said she was forcibly drowned and murdered. His report also said the bruises on Scarlett’s body suggested a struggle.
Scarlett’s mother Fiona MacKeown has decided to move the Goa bench of the Bombay HC next week. “We are going to the HC to seek a CBI inquiry. I feel cheated and am frustrated with the Goa police. They are more interested in looking into my past than catching the accused,’’ Fiona alleged. New claims have no legal standing
I’m still to read the report. The investigating officer informed me about 6 pm that he had received a fresh forensic report from Dr Sapeco,’’ North Goa SP Bosco George said. However, Dr Sapeco’s new report, which throws fresh insight into Scarlett’s death, has no legal meaning.
“Only when a forensic doctor keeps the cause of the death reserved can they give new insights into the cause of death. But in the case of Scarlett, Dr Sapeco, in his first autopsy report, had clearly stated that the cause of death was due to drowning. So, he can’t give any new insights as an afterthought,’’ said a top police official. The evidently surprised GMC Dean Dr V N Jindal refused to comment on the issue.
Meanwhile, the three-member forensic experts’ panel headed by Dr E J Rodrigues has written to chief secretary J P Singh, north Goa SP Bosco George, SDM M V Khorjuenkar and Dr Jindal alleging lack of co-operation from the police. The letter was sent on March 19, when the police had pressured the doctors to conduct an ossification test on Scarlett without Fiona’s nod. They have complained they had not received any co-operation from the police from the very start of the case. This attitude, they said, had hampered the process of administration of justice. TNN
2008 Mar 23 Times Of India Mumbai
‘Scarlette had alcohol, cocaine and morphine’
‘Scarlette had alcohol, cocaine and morphine’
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: It is now official. British teenager Scarlette Keeling had a deadly cocktail of alcohol, cocaine and morphine on the night before her body was found on the Anjuna beach on February 18.
The viscera report of the FSL in Kalina, Mumbai, confirmed that Scarlette’s blood sample sent by police contained alcohol and two types of drugs—cocaine and morphine. Sources said 90 to 100 milligram of alcohol, cocaine and morphine was found in the sample.
“The viscera report is positive and strengthens our case,’’ Goa IG Kishen Kumar said. The police had been maintaining that Scarlette was drugged, raped and then dumped in water which led to her death. “We are insisting on murder, as Scarlette was dumped in the water after she became unconscious. If a person is unconscious and dumped in water, the person will definitely die,’’ said Kumar.
Cops ruled out Mumbai businessman Murali’s role in the incident. “Murali has been examined and his statement has been recorded before a magistrate. There are differences in Mike’s statement and we sent him to record his statement before the magistrate,’’ he said
Spl unit to patrol Goa beaches 24x7
Faced with stiff criticism for unsafe beaches, the Goa government has now decided to form a special police unit to man beaches 24x7. “The state government will deploy a special unit of the police to man the beaches,” Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said after his return from New Delhi. TNN
Now, casinos feel the heat
After beach shacks, it is now the turn of casinos to face the heat in Goa. With two more casinos set to join the Caravela Casino, the state government is under pressure from the BJP to stop the proliferation of gambling dens. The BJP has threatened to take to the streets to stop the government from permitting two new casinos in Panaji. TNN
2008 Mar 21 Times Of India Mumbai
Preetu Nair | TNN
Panaji: It is now official. British teenager Scarlette Keeling had a deadly cocktail of alcohol, cocaine and morphine on the night before her body was found on the Anjuna beach on February 18.
The viscera report of the FSL in Kalina, Mumbai, confirmed that Scarlette’s blood sample sent by police contained alcohol and two types of drugs—cocaine and morphine. Sources said 90 to 100 milligram of alcohol, cocaine and morphine was found in the sample.
“The viscera report is positive and strengthens our case,’’ Goa IG Kishen Kumar said. The police had been maintaining that Scarlette was drugged, raped and then dumped in water which led to her death. “We are insisting on murder, as Scarlette was dumped in the water after she became unconscious. If a person is unconscious and dumped in water, the person will definitely die,’’ said Kumar.
Cops ruled out Mumbai businessman Murali’s role in the incident. “Murali has been examined and his statement has been recorded before a magistrate. There are differences in Mike’s statement and we sent him to record his statement before the magistrate,’’ he said
Spl unit to patrol Goa beaches 24x7
Faced with stiff criticism for unsafe beaches, the Goa government has now decided to form a special police unit to man beaches 24x7. “The state government will deploy a special unit of the police to man the beaches,” Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said after his return from New Delhi. TNN
Now, casinos feel the heat
After beach shacks, it is now the turn of casinos to face the heat in Goa. With two more casinos set to join the Caravela Casino, the state government is under pressure from the BJP to stop the proliferation of gambling dens. The BJP has threatened to take to the streets to stop the government from permitting two new casinos in Panaji. TNN
2008 Mar 21 Times Of India Mumbai
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