Date:24/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/24/stories/2008032459591200.htm

National

Scarlette’s mother to move High Court

PANAJI: Fiona Mackeown, mother of slain British girl Scarlette Keeling, has decided to move the High Court seeking investigation into an alleged cover-up by the police in the case.

“Since they have exhausted all their executive options and the final opinion is clear that Scarlett was put to death, they have decided to approach the High Court,” Ms. Mackeown’s lawyer Vikram Varma told PTI.

“She [Ms. Mackeown] is considering the option of going to the High Court seeking protection for herself and also intervention in the “continued cover-up by police.”

Family to file plea

Mr. Varma said that the family may file a petition in the High Court on Wednesday or Thursday.

The final opinion given by forensic experts on Saturday was that the girl’s head was held under water for five to ten minutes.

The report says that the bruises and abrasions on the body are suggestive of a struggle, which means that the police theory of her dying while unconscious in shallow waters is wrong. — PTI