PANJIM, MARCH 12 – The city Sessions Court on Wednesday dismissed the bail application filed by Samson D’Souza, charged with rape of deceased British minor Scarlet Keeling for want of jurisdiction.
So also the anticipatory bail applications filed by Placido Carvalho and Julio Lobo were dismissed on similar grounds.
The prosecution invoked section 8 (1) (2) of the Goa Children’s Act on the grounds that victim is a minor. The public prosecutor Pratima Vernekar told the Court the forensic report noted deceased’s age as 15 years. Her date of birth on her passport is given as June 17, 1992.
The Sessions Judge U V Bakre dismissed the application while Adv Jos Peter De Souza, counsel for Lobo and Carvalho claimed they were not informed that crime was booked under Children Act too.
The offence earlier was registered under section 302 (murder) and 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code.
Accused Lobo was represented by Adv Saresh Lotlikar along with Adv Ryan Menezes.
All three will have to now file fresh applications before Children’s Court, which sits on Mondays and Fridays.
The section 8 deals with child abuse, and person charged with grave sexual assault, can get imprisonment for a term not less than ten years, and it may extend to life imprisonment and also a fine which may extend to Rs 2 lakh.