Facing new allegations over vital organs missing from rape and murder victim Scarlette Keeling, the Goa government on Tuesday said there was no cover up and said the body parts were preserved for investigations.
The government also said that the two autopsies done on the body of the British teenager in the state were as per required procedures followed in the country.
Chief Secretary J P Singh told reporters here that the government has nothing to hide in the case, which has hogged the media spotlight.
"A section of national media has reported that key organs were found missing from Scarlette's body (during autopsy in UK). It is being implied that this was deliberately done or it's a part of cover up which is not so," said Singh, who is also the Home Secretary.
He clarified that the two autopsies conducted on Scarlette's body in Goa were as per procedure followed in India.
"Half of each kidney was removed during the two autopsies. Full stomach was removed during the first autopsy with its content, while the uterus was sent for histopathological examination," the chief secretary said.
Singh also said the government had no intention of stopping Scarlette's mother Fiona Mackeown, the British from coming back to India from the UK.
"We have not written to the Home Department to stop her entry into India. Once the Central Bureau of Investigation takes up the case, she may be required for the investigation," Singh said.
His statement is in contrast to the stand taken by state Home Minister Ravi Naik. The minister had earlier said they would object to issuance of visa to Fiona, who left here for her country early this month with the body of Scarlette, who police said, was drugged, raped and left to die on Anjuna beach in February.