Panaji: Doing a U-turn on the alleged sexual
assault of a Russian employee of a five-star hotel here, Goa
police today pressed rape charge against a politician of the
state, who was named the accused in the case, and took a fresh
statement from the woman.
Crime Branch sleuths, who took over the case this
morning, also sent the woman for a medical examination and
pressed rape charge against John Fernandes who was earlier
booked for alleged attempt to rape.
The state police had earlier refused to accept the
complaint of rape and termed it as "outraging the modesty" and
"attempt to rape".
The incident had occurred on December one when John
allegedly raped the woman in his car.
The police had initially asked the girl to tone down the
complaint claiming the accused is a heavyweight politician.
The case was transferred to Crime Branch after the girl
approached the Russian consulate for help and alleged she was
harassed in the police station.
In a statement to the consulate, she had claimed police
inspector Siddhant Shirodkar asked her not to file rape case
against the accused as he was highly influential and would
spoil her job prospects and cancel visa.
John, a young politician, had unsuccessfully contested
Goa legislative assembly election in 2007 from Benaulim
constituency against sitting legislator and Tourism Minister
Fransisco Pacheco.
PTI
