Remo Fernandes seeks anticipatory bail

Panaji, Dec 31: Popular pop singer Remo Fernandes, accused of verbally abusing a minor girl, has sought anticipatory bail from the Goa Children's Court.

The 62-year-old singer in the bail plea filed today has claimed that he is innocent and is being falsely implicated in the case.

He has also pointed out that the girl, who was hit by his son's car, had demanded Rs three lakh from him, as against Rs 50,000 offered by him as a compensation.

The bail application filed by his lawyer Rajiv Gomes states that the singer is a native of Goa but has acquired Portuguese nationality and presently possesses a Portuguese passport. "Though the applicant is a Portuguese National, he being a native of Goa has several properties in Goa and also has family members and roots in Goa," it says.

The plea further states that he also has business interests in Goa and India and therefore there can be no apprehension of the applicant absconding and not attending the trial.

Remo is presently in Europe and is expected to arrive on January 8 and Goa police has already issued a lookout notice against him.

The singer has said that he had met the girl in Goa medical college on December 3 after the accident and as per her demand had offered to pay Rs 50,000 for treatment and travel.

As per the petition, "but to the horror and surprise, the younger sister of the injured (girl) in a very rude and impolite manner, began demanding that the singer should pay nothing short of Rs 3 lakh at the moment".

"When he asked her why she is demanding so much, her reply was 'because you have prestige'," claims the plea. The application will come for hearing in duo course.

PTI