New Delhi:
There has been another twist to the Russian girl's rape case in Goa. The girl now claims that friends of the Goa-based politician John Fernandes, who allegedly raped has offered her money to withdraw the case. The girl's lawyer has said his client got a call last evening and was offered 15 lakh rupees.
The 25-year-old Russian girl, in a verbal complaint to the Crime Branch, claimed that a friend of Fernandes, who was declared 'absconding' by a court in Margao, to withdraw the charges against him.
The girl, who had alleged that John raped her on December 1 mid night after spiking her drink, claimed that the caller also threatened her with dire consequences if she pursues the case further.
When contacted, Crime Branch officials refused to comment on the complaint. Russian Consulate's representative in Goa Vikram Varma told PTI that the accused's associates have made attempts to "bribe" the victim with huge sum of money to withdraw the case.
"From the conduct of the associates of the accused, it is clear that such people consider themselves above the law. Despite 18 days having passed and formal arrest warrant issues, the accused is still absconding. He has ample opportunity and freedom to manipulate the evidence and intimidate as well as influence the witnesses," he said.
"Such a conduct is deplorable and can influence the credibility of our criminal justice system," Varma said.