CBI counsel withdraws from Scarlett case

PANJIM, FEB 2
A public prosecutor representing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Scarlett Eden Keeling case has withdrawn from appearing in the court.
Sources stated that Public Prosecutor R Rivonkar has written to Goa Children’s Court and CBI stating that he doesn’t want to continue fighting the case.
Rivonkar has been representing CBI in the case in which two locals – Samson D’Souza and Placido Carvalho, are charged for culpable homicide, outraging modesty, destroying evidence and leaving the British teenager to die on Anjuna beach on February 18, 2008.
It is learnt that Rivonkar was disturbed as the trial was dragging on for several months. The case also saw nearly three Court President’s handling the matter after the transfer of each of them.
After Rivonkar’s withdrawal, CBI has appointed a Mumbai-based lawyer to fight the case. The case came up for hearing today but the new CBI lawyer has sought an adjournment.
The case currently has reached to a stage where Murli Sagar, a crucial witness, is being cross examined.
Fiona after her cross examination, talking to reporters, had expressed doubts on the way the investigating agency was handling the case.
In a recent statement, the mother has even raised suspicion on the way CBI has charge-sheeted the case.