Date:10/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/10/stories/2008031059301300.htm

National

One arrested in Scarlette Keeling murder case

Prakash Kamat

PANAJI: The Goa police on Sunday arrested one person in connection with the alleged sexual assault and murder of 16-year-old British tourist Scarlette Keeling.

Inspector General of Police Kishen Kumar told The Hindu late on Sunday that the police arrested Samson D’Souza, 29, from Anjuna village of north Goa “for one part of the alleged crime.”

“He is being charged under Section 376 of the IPC, based on sufficient evidence that he was seen, allegedly in a compromising situation, with the deceased some time before her death,” said Mr. Kumar.

The IGP said that the police would press sexual assault charge as the girl was a minor.

“Sufficient evidence”

“We have gathered sufficient evidence against the accused and he will be produced before the Mapusa Judicial Magistrate on Monday to seek his remand for further investigation,” he said.

Earlier on Saturday, a medical team comprising three doctors of the State-owned Goa Medical College hospital conducted a second autopsy and in a unanimous report advised the police to investigate the death as a case of homicide. Late in the evening, the IGP directed the Anjuna Police in north Goa to register a case of murder against unknown persons.