CBI COUNSEL ABSENT IN SCARLETT’S DEATH CASE TRIAL

Even as Goa court is grappling with the issue of missing pages of Scarlett's diary, Public prosecutor representing CBI in the death trial did not appear in the court today when case came for the hearing. CBI was supposed to file a reply in connection with the contentions by two accused that few pages from Scarlett's diary were missing.

Scarlett Keeling

CBI counsel S R Rivonkar was not present in the court forcing the court to adjourn the hearing for next date on September 17, 2010. British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling's bruised semi nude body was found on Anjuna shore on February 18, 2008. Two accused - Placido Carvalho and Samsun D'Souza, were arrested for drugging, sexually abusing and leaving the teenager to die on the shore.

During the trial on August 27, the lawyers representing two accused had moved an application that few of the pages of the diary belonging to Scarlett were missing. The court had directed CBI to file a reply to their application by September 3. The diary was recovered during investigation from room of Scarlett's boyfriend Julio Lobo, and it is an important part of prosecution.

Scarlett's mother, Fiona Mackeown, had identified the diary and its contents during her deposition before the Court. Jos Peter de Souza, during Fiona's cross examination, had pointed out that few pages of the diary were missing. The sketches in the diary had exposed several hidden facets of teenager's life.

Scarlett's death was initially being pushed under carpet by Goa police but they carried on investigation after Fiona launched a campaign seeking justice for her daughter. After initial investigations, the case was handed over to CBI, who has filed charge-sheet in Goa children's court against the two accused. (PTI)