Goa CM to brief PM on Scarlette Keelings's death case

New Delhi, Mar 18 : Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat will meet Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here this afternoon and brief him about developments relating to the murder of British teenager Scarlette Keeling.

According to sources, Kamat is also scheduled to meet Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh at 3:30 p.m. The body of Scarlett was found at Goa's popular Anjuna beach on February 18.

On Monday, Michael Anthony Mannion, a key witness in the case, deposed before the state police. He appeared at the office of Sub Divisional Police officer Bosco George and submitted a statement.

Goa police had issued a look out notice for Mannion, who had fled the state three days after the incident, fearing for his life.

"I confirmed to police exactly what I said in the statement. I am helping in the course of justice all along," said Mannion.

Police officials said Mannion's statement confirmed their investigation was on the right track.

"At this stage, it would not be proper for me to say whether he has cooperated or not, but I think his statement confirms our initial investigation," said George.

Meanwhile, Goa's Home Minister Ravi Naik has said that he would seek to ban on Scarlett's mother, Fiona MacKeown, from staying in the State.

"I will write to Government of India regarding her because she is not a responsible lady. She left her 15-year-old child and went to Karnataka," Naik said in Panaji.

Fiona, who has accused the Goan authorities of trying to cover up the murder, was questioned after receiving a summons on Friday night. She has written to Prime Minister seeking his intervention, as she feels the case has weakened with the police sitting on vital medical tests for weeks to confirm the presence of drugs in Scarlett's body.

The second autopsy revealed bruises all over Keeling's body, that her mouth was stuffed with sand and that she did not have enough saltwater in her lungs to indicate drowning.

ANI