Fiona to file written reply to notice

NT NETWORK
Posted on 2008-09-12
PANAJI- Ms Fiona Keeling, the mother of the British teen found dead on Anjuna beach who was served with a notice by the director of Women and Child Development, Mr S Gadkar asking her to appear personally before him on September 12, will be filing a written reply to the notice, informed sources.
Mr Vikram Verma, her counsel told ‘The Navhind Times’ that essentially “Fiona will not be able to come but they are examining the complaint.”
“I feel that the complaint is untenable because it has been examined by the Children’s Court and dismissed. I do not understand how the directorate had decided to still go ahead,” said Mr Verma.
“The complainant has no locus standi in the matter as he has not produced a single shred of evidence to substantiate the complaint.” He said that he felt that it was an abuse of the process of the law and should be dismissed.
It may be recalled that acting on a complaint by an NGO, the Women and Child Development Department sent a letter to Ms Fiona asking for her personal appearance on September 12.
The NGO in its complaint alleged that it was Ms Fiona’s neglect that could have resulted in the circumstances leading to Scarlette’s murder.
Scarlette’s battered semi-nude body was found on the Anjuna Beach on February 18. The police later confirmed that she was raped and killed after a hue and cry made by the mother.
At present the case is being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Midway through initial investigations by the police Ms Fiona had alleged that the local drug mafia was responsible for her daughter’s death and the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik as well as the police were hand in glove with the mafia.
On the other hand Mr Naik had raised queries about Ms Fiona’s background and cast aspersions on her.