CBI seeks Interpol help to record Scarlett mother's statement

The CBI has decided to seek the Interpol's help to record the statement of British national Fiona Mackeown, mother of teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling who was found dead on a Goa beach a year ago.

In an application to Panaji Bench of the Bombay High Court, the CBI, which is investigating the case, has said a letter rogatory was being processed to ensure that no time is lost in recording the statement.

The letter rogatory is a formal request to the judicial authority of a foreign country seeking assistance in gathering evidence.

Scarlett's semi-nude body was found on Anjuna beach on February 18, 2008 and the case was later handed over to CBI.

"Interpol, London, has desired that a letter rogatory be sent for the aforesaid purpose (recording statement) and as such a letter rogatory under section 166-A of the Criminal Procedure Code is under process," CBI additional superintendent of Police, Special Crime Branch, Pramod Mudbhatkal said in his statement to the court.

CBI officials said their attempts to meet Fiona have proved futile, which has forced them to take such a step.

The CBI informed the court they had proposed to visit Fiona in London between December 18 and 23 after contacting her by e-mail as well as telephone.