from Ares
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Aug 7: Fiona Mackeown, mother of British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling, who was found dead on Anjuna beach, has decided to hold back her India visit waiting for the lower court's observation in the petition filed against her by a NGO.

Fiona was supposed to arrive in India this week to depose before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Scarlett's death case.

Scarlett's bruised body was found at Anjuna beach on February 18 following which two locals were arrested by the police for drugging, raping and leaving her to die on the beach.

Scarlett was dead while Fiona was out of Goa holidaying in the neighbouring Karnataka state. Goa-based NGO – Utt Goenkara -- had petitioned Goa Children's Court praying that Fiona be charged for neglecting her child.

"I have spoken to Fiona at length. She has full faith in the Judiciary of this country and  is waiting for the Court's observations on this petition before making her decision to return to India for assisting the C B I on the matter," Vikram Varma, legal counsel for Fiona, said.

He has termed the NGO's statements against Fiona as 'irresponsible.'

"Trust is the foundation between bonding of individuals in any civilized society. It is disturbing that instead of taking a stand against those who are responsible for the homicide, this petitioner has attacked the very institution of trust," Varma commented.

He said that scrutiny of the statements made in the application reveal that are nothing but unsubstantiated allegations.

The court has already issued notice to the police responding to the petition filed by NGO. 

The notice has been issued to Anjuna police inspector and also to the state and the matter will be heard on August 11.

The NGO had also demanded that Mackeown be made primary accused in the case leading to Scarlett's death.

Aires Rodrigues, who has filed the complaint on behalf of the NGO, has asked the Children's Court to direct CBI to investigate her role in leaving her 15-year-old daughter in the company of a stranger.