Team Herald
PANJIM: In an attempt to get justice to her deceased daughter Scarlet Keeling Eden, mother Fiona Mackeown has announced Rs 16.50 lakh approx as reward money to witness who come forward in favour of the 8-year-old case.
Advocate Vikram Verma, her legal representative in India told Herald that Fiona along with some of her close friends is on a crowd funding mission to raise funds for the purpose. The move is essentially to trace two locals, who had volunteered to appear as witnesses.
“When we were conducting our independent inquiry (in February 2008) two persons had approached us disclosing the crime. However, they could not be traced thereafter. We had faced a setback in the Children’s Court when the eye witness (Michael Mannion) refused to appear during the trial which gave an advantage to the accused. Tracking down other crucial witnesses through such a campaign might help us get justice,” he said.
Fiona and her friends have announced £20,000 towards the fight. Two accused Samson D’Souza and Placido Carvalo were acquitted by the juvenile court for want of evidence last September. Fiona then decided to challenge the order through CBI that filed condonation of delay in filing appeal before the High Court of Bombay at Goa. The application was heard on Monday, and adjourned for next date.
