Russian rape case: Victim's statement not recorded

Panaji, Jan 5: In a latest update on the Russian rape case, the victim said that her statement was never recorded in the case.

"I don't know about the enquiry. My statement was never recorded by any enquiry officer. No one even contacted me," the 25-year-old Russian victim told in an news agency report.

The girl added that she was asked to lessen the charge from rape to 'attempt to rape' by the Colva police station in-charge Siddhanth Shirodkar.

"They were pressurizing me to tell (write the complaint) that John just pushed me and gave bad words...Shirodkar told me that John is a powerful person," she said, adding that she was warned that by Shirodkar that Fernades can get her visa canceled.

The rape case was handed over to the Crime Branch following concerns over the handling of the case.

However, Shirodkar has been reportedly given a clean chit by the investigation team, headed deputy superintendent of police Umesh Gaonkar.

Gaonkar admitted that the statement of the victim was never recorded.

"We have based the entire inquiry on the written statement submitted by the victim. Where is the question of quizzing her again?" he said in defence.

The major procedural lapses has drawn criticism from the representative of the Russian consulate.

"A uniform carries with it a huge amount of responsibility, power and respect. When that uniform is abused to the advantage of a criminal, the citizen becomes absolutely helpless. Men who abuse the uniform and erode the credibility of the police force, should not be protected by the same force, but dealt with a firm hand under the provisions of law made for this specific purpose," said Vikram Varma, lawyer for Russian consulate in Goa.

The victim who was working in a five-star hotel as a Russian representative has lost her job.

She was raped by a Goa-based politician John Fernandes on Dec 1.

The accused is currently absconding.

On Jan 4 the court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of accused.

OneIndia New