Panaji:
Goa police on Friday refused to hand over the bodies of two Russian teenagers, killed by unidentified assailants on a beach in November 2007, to Consul General of Russia in Mumbai.
"We cannot hand over the bodies to the Consulate without the consent of their parents. What if the Consulate disposes of the bodies and parents approach us for the same? Let the parents write to us through the Consulate," Superintendent of Police (Foreigners Registration Office) Tony Fernandes said.
The bodies of Anton Prosyakov and his girlfriend Marina Pulina, both 19, were found at Vagator beach.
After their identities were confirmed, Consulate General of Russian Federation in Mumbai Alexander Mantytsky in February this year had written to Fernandes to hand over the bodies for burial at the earliest.
"The relatives of the deceased have been informed about the results and they don't want to conduct further examinations and wish to 'repatriate' the remains to Russia for burial a quickly as possible," the letter had said.
According to documents available with PTI, Superintendent of Police Bosco Geroge, head of foreigners' registration branch in May 2009, had advised the Consulate to get the possession of bodies through court.
"It is informed (to me) by police inspector of Anjuna police station that a representative of the Consulate General be appointed to obtain a court order for release of the skeletal remains and to collect the same under appropriate authority letter from the Consulate General," George had said.
Vikram Varma, legal counsel for the Consulate, said that the parents are yet to get the bodies.
"I can confirm that the parents are yet to receive the remains. However, I won't comment further as the matter needs to be resolved through diplomatic channels," he said.