Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Oct 2: Two major cases related to death of British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling will come up in the Panaji Bench of Bombay High court on Monday October 6.
 
While in one case, the court will give decision on the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) plea to cancel bail granted to prime accused Samson D’Souza by Goa Children’s court, in another, a Non Government Organization (NGO) has challenged Children’s Court’s order refusing to direct police to investigate into the role of Scarlett’s mother Fiona Mackeown under Children’s Act.
 
The local NGO – Utt Goenkara – had filed a petition before Goa children’s Court accusing Fiona for violating section 8 (1) (2) and section 8 (12) of Goa Children’s Act.
 
NGO’s spokesman Aires Rodrigues in the petition had cited that Fiona had left Scarlett alone in Goa in unlawful custody of a local boy on the fateful day when the teenager was found dead on Anjuna beach.
 
The British teenager holidaying in Goa was found dead on Anjuna beach on February 18. The NGO has also filed a formal complaint with Director General of Police against Fiona under Goa Children’s Act.
 
Rodrigues had submitted that Fiona was fully aware that her daughter Scarlett was a minor and that the law mandates that all children within the State of Goa be provided a safe environment wherein the parents are responsible to ensure that the child is not abused.
 
The President of the Children's Court Desmond D'Costa on August 11 had disallowed the complaint filed by the NGO on the grounds that as per Section 20 of the Children's Act, cognizance of any offence under the Act could be taken only on a complaint filed by the child, her parents, guardians, close relatives, police or a competent authority under the Children's Act.
 
In yet another case related to this sensational death, the fate of Samson D’Souza, a prime accused, will be decided by the bench.
 
Samson was released on bail by Goa Children’s Court citing that there is no sufficient material on record to link his connection with the crime.
 
The CBI which is investigating the case had objected to the bail stating that there is prime facie substance against him.
 
The court last Monday had adjourned the case for October 6, when it will be taken up for final disposal.