Charges framed against accused in Scarlet case

The Children's Court on Monday framed charges against bartender Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho alias Shana Boy in a case pertaining to sexual assault and death of British minor Scarlet Keeling whose body was found at Anjuna beach on the morning of February 19, 2008.

Both accused face multiple charges under sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) read with section 8(2) of the Goa Children's Act, 2003.

According to the prosecution, on February 18, 2008 between 3.30 am and 5.30 am both accused (who were present at Lui's Shack at Goverkarwada at Anjuna beach) allegedly administered drugs (cocaine lines, ecstasy tablets and beer ) having stupefying effect to Scarlet who had walked into the shack.

The CBI which conducted investigation into the case through its counsel Adv S R Rivonkar told the Court that both accused administered drugs to the minor (victim was 15 years 8 months old at the time of incident ) with intent to sexually abuse her. Both have been charged under section 328 of IPC read with section 8(2) of the Goa Children's Act.

Samson D'Souza has been charged under 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), for deliberately leaving the victim near the water line on the sea beach even though she was fully intoxicated and thereby committed the offence.

He has been charged under sections 354 (use of criminal force with intend to outrage modesty) and 201 (destroying of evidence) of IPC whereas Shana boy is charged under section 109 (abetment of crime) of IPC.

The Court will hear the matter next on March 17.