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Submit update on rape case probe: Kamat

Special Correspondent

PANAJI: Chief Minister Digambar Kamat on Thursday asked Director-General of Police B.S. Bassi to submit an update on the investigations into the rape of a Russian woman.

Confirming that he had received a letter from the Russian Consul-General in Mumbai on the issue, Mr. Kamat told journalists outside the State Assembly on Thursday that he will forward the detailed report on the investigations to the Russian Consulate.

Disappointed

Mumbai-based Consulate-General of the Russian Federation Alexander Mantytsky expressed disappointment over the manner in which the case was being probed in his letter addressed to the Chief Minister on Monday.

John Fernandes of Colva in south Goa, accused in the rape of a 25-year-old Russian woman, has been absconding ever since his anticipatory bail was rejected by the Bombay High Court on Tuesday.

Later on Thursday, Opposition MLAs from the Bharatiya Janata Party slammed the Goa police for initial lapses in the investigation that had invited criticism from the Russian Consulate during a special discussion in the Assembly on the functioning of the State police.

Criticising the police functioning on several fronts, Leader of the Opposition Manohar Parrikar warned the government that the “Goa situation on the safety front may turn into another Delhi.”

“After six in the evening, women get scared to venture out in certain areas in Delhi on account of murders and rapes,” Mr. Parrikar said.

Stating that Goa’s reputation as a safe tourist destination was at stake, he said it was the duty of the government to provide safety and security to tourists around the clock. “It would send wrong signals to the world outside if statements to the effect that women should not move out beyond certain hours at night are made,” Mr. Parrikar added.

Replying to the debate, Home Minister Ravi Naik claimed that the investigation was on the right track and expressed confidence that the accused would be nabbed.

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