Remo back in Goa, court to hear bail plea next week

Pop singer Remo Fernandes, who is facing charges of threatening a minor girl, on Friday returned to Goa from his foreign trip even as a local court posted the date for arguments on his anticipatory bail petition in the case to January 5.

"Remo has arrived in Goa by a morning flight," his lawyer Rajiv Gomes told PTI after Goa Children's Court adjourned the hearing in the anticipatory bail plea to next week.

The 62-year-old singer has been booked by police for allegedly verbally abusing and threatening a minor girl at the state-run GoaMedicalCollege and Hospital where she was undergoing treatment after being hit by a car driven by his son Johan on December 2.

He had left Goa on December 7 for a Europe tour.

The anticipatory bail plea filed by Remo's lawyer came up for hearing on Friday before Judge Vandana Tendulkar.

The court has sought police's view on the bail plea, which will come up for hearing on January 5.

Claiming innocence, Remo in his plea has stated that he was being "falsely implicated" in the case.

He pointed out that the girl, who was hit by his son, Johan's car, had demanded Rs 3 lakh from him as against the Rs 50,000 which he had offered in compensation.

The plea also stated that the singer is a native of Goa but has acquired Portuguese nationality and currently possesses a Portuguese passport.

The accused said that though he is a Portuguese national, being a native of Goa, he has roots in the state and has several properties and family members in Panaji.

He also stated that he has business interests in Goa and India and, therefore, there can be no apprehension that he is absconding and not attending the trial.

Remo said in his plea that he had met the victim at Goa Medical College on December 3 after the accident and offered to pay Rs 50,000 for treatment and travel.

"But to the horror and surprise, the younger sister of the injured (girl) in a very rude and impolite manner, began demanding that the Applicant should pay nothing short of Rs 3 lakh at the moment," the petition read.