Police probe in Scarlette case misleading: NCW

The National Commission for Women has held that Goa police's investigations into the rape and murder of British teenager Scarlette Keeling were 'completely misleading'.

In its preliminary report on the teenager's death, Commission member Nirmala Venkatesh said, "Police is trying to hide the facts of the case and close it. We will never allow this to happen."

Venkatesh claimed that Scarlette was injected with morphine.

"She was raped by four to five persons by gagging her mouth. There are nail marks on the body and several marks, which indicates that more than one person was involved in sexually assaulting her," she said.

Venkatesh, during her two days visit to Goa, went around Anjuna beach and met Fiona Mackeown, Scarlette's mother and senior police officials investigating the case.

"Police investigation in this case was completely misleading and evidence in this case was destroyed by police themselves," she said.

The NCW member said they will continue to fight for justice and will brief Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi on the police attitude in this case.

The NCW member clarified that the preliminary report is based on her interaction with the agencies concerned and they will come out with the final report subsequently.

Scarlette Eden Keeling was found dead on Goa's popular Anjuna beach on February 18. Police have already arrested two locals for drugging, raping and leaving her to die.

"We have seen the post-mortem and viscera reports. Our findings are based on the evidence found in those reports," the Commission member said.

The NCW has questioned police wisdom in delaying the sending of viscera report for examination, which was vital for the investigation.

She said Inspector General of Police Kishan Kumar, during her meeting with him, admitted the police lapses in the investigation.

Venkatesh said the police are hiding the fact to protect some vested elements involved in the crime.

The NCW member also said that Lui Caf, a shack where Scarlette spent her last moments, stands demolished. Police should not have allowed the shack to be demolished as it is important evidence in the case.

"If CBI wants to probe the case, they have no evidence left there," she rued.

She also said that police sub inspector Nerlon Albuquerque and forensic expert Dr Silvano Sapeco, who were involved in the initial investigation of the case should not have been suspended.

Lending full support to Fiona, Venkatesh dismissed suggestions that she was a careless mother.