Ares
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
 
Panaji, May 14: Panaji bench of Bombay high court on Wednesday May 14 issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the British national Micheal Mannion's look out circular (LOC) returnable on May 21.
 
Mannion, a key witness in Scarlett Eden Keeling drug, rape and murder case, has been hauled up in the state as the state police is yet to lift the LOC issued against him.

The Brit, holidaying in Goa, has deposed before the police that he has seen the accused Samson D'Souza lying on Scarlett a few hours before her bruised corpse was found at Anjuna beach on February 18 this year.

Mannion has challenged the indefinite continuity of the LOC despite his deposition before the magistrate. 'LOC cannot be indefinite as it amounts to violation of constitutional rights,' Vikram Varma, representing Mannion, said.

He said that the petition is filed under article 226 for violation of article 21 and 14 of Constitution of India which speaks about liberty and equality before law. 'Mannion has been treated differently compared to other witnesses,' Varma said.

Mannion, the tenth-time visitor to Goa, had fled the state three days after the incident fearing for his life. Police took his cognizance after he gave an interview to British media from undisclosed destination.

The Brit was summoned to Goa after serving the LOC. He arrived and deposed before the magistrate and the state police.

Superintendent of police Bosco George earlier had said that they have not lifted the LOC as the case has been handed over to the CBI. 'It is up to CBI to take stand on the issue,' George had said.