Samson D'Souza, who was arrested by the Goa police in connection with the rape and murder of British tourist Scarlette Keeling, has admitted to having consensual sex with Scarlette, while trying to indicate that there was no force used.
However, as per India law, sex with a minor girl, even consensual, amounts to rape. Scarlette was 15-years-old when she died.
Inspector General of Goa Police Kishen Kumar said that although there is evidence to indicate that she was a minor, they had to verify her age through an ossification test. The police usually undertake this exercise for scientific purposes and so that the report stands valid in court when the trial commences.
Is Goa still safe for tourists?
The Goa police say that they will be subjecting D'Souza to several more rounds of interrogations to get more leads into the case. They haven't yet been unable to determine the exact cause of death - murder, drug overdose or drowning.
D'Souza was picked up by the Goa police along with three others a day after the second autopsy report on Scarlette stated that she had been sexually assaulted. The report also stated that she had not died due to drowning, a fact that her mother, Fiona, has been claiming since day one.
D'Souza was working as a bar man at Luis near Anjuna beach, where Scarlette's body was recovered.
D'Souza, in his confession, said that he had become friendly with Scarlette a couple of days before the incident. He also said that he had not raped her, but that the sex was consensual.
More from rediff