In fresh troubles for Goa police, a senior doctor, who conducted the first autopsy on the British teenager found dead under mysterious circumstances, claimed that the police had ignored his finding that she could have been murdered.
The latest turn of events in the Scarlette murder case which has snowballed into a major controversy came even as the Goa police on Wednesday said they were trying to get in touch with a British male tourist who could throw light into the death of the 15-year-old-teenager on February 18.
"We are ready to fly anywhere in the world to meet the witness if he is ready to give us his deposition," said North Goa Superintendent of Police Bosco George, adding that a 'look out notice' has been issued against Michael Manyon.
The British tourist is known to have been at the beach cafe where Scarlette was last seen alive and believe him to be the same person who told a British daily that he witnessed an apparent sexual assault on the girl.
The senior doctor was shown on a television channel purportedly telling that he had informed Lakshya Amonkar, a subordinate of police sub inspector Nerlon Albuquerque who initially probed the case, that the manner in which Scarlette had died, the chances are of it being a homicide were high.
Albuquereque had initially probed the case that led to a controversy after which he was shunted from Anjuna police station. His 'authority' has since been withdrawn.
The teenager's family had challenged the police version that she died due to drowning and accused them of covering up rape and murder.
The statement by the doctor comes as a setback for the police machinery who had registered the case as murder only after the second autopsy was conducted.
"The person who got the body is Lakshya Amondkar. I spoke to him. After that, he went and informed his superior, who is Nerlon. Between the two of them, something transpired," the doctor who was not identified told the news channel.
Immediately, after the sting operation was aired by the news channel, chief minister Digamber Kamat assured action in the matter.
"We are inquiring into the matter," Kamat told PTI.
Explaining the 'look-out notice' against Manyon, Bosco George said he should not leave the country and would like him to depose before the investigating authorities. Samson D'souza, a barman, has been already held in the case and charged with rape. George said the police does not know about the Britisher's whereabouts.
In his interview to a British daily in London over phone, Manyon said he had left the shack at 4.45 a.m. Scarlett's body was found at 6.30 am on Anjuna beach adjacent to the shack where she partied last.
Eye witnesses like Placido Carvalho, another suspect who has applied for anticipatory bail, have said that Manyon, popularly known as 'Mike Masala' was amongst those present few hours before her death.
The state police today said that they will provide all the protection to Manyon, if he fears for his life.
"We have told British embassy that all the required protection would be provided to Manyon he should just come and depose," a senior police officer said.
Reports suggested that Manyon's testimony could be important to the entire mystery.
Scarlette's bruised semi-nude body was found on Anjuna shore raising a strong suspicion of rape and murder.
