_____ From: Averthan D'Souza [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 31 March 2008 10:56 To: Herald Goa ([EMAIL PROTECTED]); Gomantak Times ([EMAIL PROTECTED]); Goan Observer Cc: Goadesc Subject: Disturbing the waters. Dear Editor, The news that the two members of the National Commission for Women who descended on Goa have already jumped to conclusions about the death of the British teenager Scarlet Keeling is very disturbing indeed. In just two days flat, and after very perfunctory discussions, the two ladies have concluded that the Goa Police have failed to perform their duties satisfactorily. To arrive at such a conclusion in less than forty-eight hours is truly amazing. Is this the manner in which the NCW conducts all its business? What is even more horrifying is the revelation in the Newspapers that these two worthy ladies have now come up with their (new) "findings" that Scarlet Keeling was injected with Morphine. How did they arrive at this finding? Will they produce irrefutable evidence of this for judicial scrutiny? Did they submit this finding to the Goa Police for further examination? Did they conduct a medical/forensic examination of the remains of Scarlet Keeling, and was this further "post mortem" examination done with proper authorization? The public has a right to know the basis for their assertion that Scarlet was injected with morphine. The National Commission for Women is a statutory body set up by Parliament. It is expected to perform like a quasi-judicial body. However, the reports in the media indicate that the two members of the NCW have behaved like partisans who came with prejudiced minds to make a political point about the death of the unfortunate teenager. The public assertion by one member that she and "all women" are with Fiona MacKeown in her struggle with the Goa Police, and that she will release her findings to the national - and the international - media after returning to Delhi, makes a complete mockery of the cautious approach which is expected of a quasi-judicial body. She sounded more like a woman activist rather than a member of a Commission. We do not hold a brief for the Goa Police, but we certainly object to persons coming into Goa and arriving at "decisions" within forty-eight hours after the most cursory (and casual) examination of the case of Scarlet Keeling. The National Commission for Women deserves to be more circumspect in the procedures which it follows and the manner in which it intervenes in suspiciously criminal proceedings in a State. Yours truly, Averthanus L. D'Souza, D-13, La Marvel Colony, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004. Tel: 2453628.
