Roy gave drugs to Scarlet,Fiona tells court
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, AUG 2
In what seems to be another blow for Home Minister Ravi Naik, Fiona Mackeown today told the court that Roy Naik was giving drugs to Scarlet.
“Roy D’Souza, Roy Naik, Julio Lobo, Samson D’Souza, Placido Carvalho have been giving drugs to my daughter,” Fiona said in her deposition before the Goa Children’s Court.
She was responding to the cross examination by lawyer Jos Peter D’souza, appearing on behalf of the accused.
When asked, whether she was serious about her comments to the media that the home minister is involved in the death of her daughter, she said that she suspected Ravi Naik immediately after the murder of her daughter.
“I had alleged Naik, when he attacked me verbally in public soon after my daughter’s death,” she stated.
Fiona also said, “I have been told that Ravi Naik is the head of the drug nexus along with his son, that policemen are also involved in the same.”
Fiona said that she did not mention about the same (Ravi Naik and Roy Naik) to the police since she did not have any evidence to support the same.
However, she said that she had never seen any drugs changing hands in Curlies. “I have never seen any drug dealings on the beach,” she added.
The mother confirmed that Scarlet was being given drugs for a short period on February 14, 2008.
Earlier, D’Souza pointed out that Scarlet used to consume heroin, cocaine, charas and ecstasy on regular basis, which was refuted by Fiona.
Fiona in her last deposition on Friday last week had told the court that her daughter used to drink beer occasionally however, she never consumed drugs.
Talking to reporters outside the court, Fiona said that the defense was trying to malign Scarlet’s character by asking various questions about her sexual and social life.
Ponda correspondent adds: Sources close to Home Minister Ravi Naik said said Fiona’s statement is politically motivated and they are trying to malign his image.
“She is hand in glove with the criminal-minded politicians of Goa, who are trying to pull down Naik from the home ministry for their interests,” said sources while speaking to Herald.
“Many criminal-minded politicians are now under the scanner and they are afraid of action. Naik never compromised with those who are not abiding by the law,” added sources.
“During Naik’s tenure as chief minister, he had shown courage to bring under control all the nuisance-making politicians, and the same is being done now,” the sources added.
“With regard to drug peddling, many culprits are being booked, which was hardly done before and many politicians have now lost their haftas and hence are making moves to destabilize Naik,” they claimed.
Meanwhile, Parampai Citizens Forum, a non-governmental organisation from Marcaim, has strongly condemned the statement of Fiona, who has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry of Roy Naik’s involvement in the drugs case. In a press release, the Parampai Citizens Forum sought to know the source of funds she received to make the baseless allegations.
“How can Fiona make baseless allegations without having any evidence? This is nothing but a politically motivated stand,” stated the forum in a press note.
“It is surprising that Fiona on one hand admits that she does not know the involvement of Roy in drug activities and she heard about it from people. Then what made her to ask for a CBI inquiry,” stated the press note.
“It is nothing but a move to malign the image of Home Minister Ravi Naik and all criminal minded people have joined hands with Fiona and they are making use of her,” claimed the forum.
“Hence, she should tell Goans how much money she has received from such criminal minded politicians to make baseless allegations,” added the forum.
