Goa to probe complaint against Scarlett Keeling's mother

Panaji, Oct 6 (IANS) The Goa police Monday began probing a complaint against Fiona Mackeown, mother of British teenager Scarlett Keeling who was found raped and murdered on Anjuna beach here in February.

The complaint alleged that it was Fiona's alleged neglect that eventually led to the controversial death of Scarlett.

Public prosecutor C.A. Ferreira told the Panaji Bench of the Bombay High Court that police investigations into the complaint filed by Aires Rodrigues, spokesperson of the NGO Utt Goenkara, were underway.

Judge A.P. Lavande directed the public prosecutor to file a written statement. The matter has been adjourned to Oct 10.

Rodrigues in his petition alleged that Fiona's act of leaving her minor daughter with a stranger in Anjuna, while she was holidaying in Gokarna with the rest of her family was in violation of Section 8 (1) (2) and Section 8 (12) of the Goa Children's Act, 2003.

Fifteen-year-old Scarlett was found dead on Anjuna beach in Goa Feb 18. Autopsy reports confirmed that she was raped and murdered. MacKeown has claimed that police officials, politicians and the drug mafia are colluding to hamper a proper investigation into her daughter's death.