Scarlette case to be handed over to CBI

Under pressure on the credibility of police probe, Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat has said that the state government is willing to hand over the case of British teenager Scarlette Eden Keeling's death to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Kamat made this announcement on the floor of the Assembly late Monday evening when it met for the first day of the budget session.

Scarlette's mother, Fiona Mackeown, had sought a CBI inquiry into her death and alleged cover up by the police.

Rubbishing the allegations of a cover up, the chief minister said 'there are no moves to hush up and no attempts to hide anything in this case'.

In a statement in the House, Home Minister Ravi Naik, who was accused of having drug

trade links by Fiona, also said he was not opposed to a CBI probe.

The statements came after opposition benches highlighted rampant drug trade and deteriorating law and order situation in the coastal state.

Kamat, replying to the allegations, said there was a sustained campaign to spoil Goa's name to harm the tourism industry.

"These isolated incidents happen all over the world, but a systematic campaign is on against the state by the media," the chief minister said.

He urged the members to take a united stand so that nobody could harm state's interests.

Scarlette Eden Keeling was drugged, raped and left to die in shallow waters on Goa's popular Anjuna beach on February 18. Two locals have been arrested in the case.