Russian rape case: Main accused John Fernandes surrenders
January 6th, 2010 - 4:32 pm ICT by IANSPanaji, Jan 6 (IANS) John Fernandes, accused of raping a 25-year-old Russian girl here last month, surrendered before the Goa crime branch Wednesday afternoon, police said.
John, a local politician, had been absconding since his anticipatory bail was cancelled by the Bombay High Court last month.
His surrender follows a Supreme Court rap Tuesday when counsel for the accused withdrew John’s bail plea after severe censure from the apex court.
John had managed to evade arrest after the Russian tourist alleged that Fernandes raped her on Dec 1 midnight last year after spiking her drink.
The initial refusal by the police to file the rape complaint created a stir in the state with the Russian consulate being forced to intervene.
Subsequent comments by Congress MP Shantaram Naik in the Rajya Sabha asking that the rape case be seen in ‘different light’ because of the acquaintance between the victim and the accused, also created a furore in parliament.
Police officers are tightlipped about the future course of action.
“He has surrendered today (Wednesday). He will be produced before a magistrate within the stipulated 24 hours,” a senior crime branch official said.
- Goa's politician accused of rape granted bail - Apr 01, 2011
- Apex court denies Goa rape accused early hearing for bail - Dec 18, 2009
- Accused in Russian rape case missing: Goa police - Dec 16, 2009
- Court cancels bail of accused in Russian's rape - Dec 15, 2009
- Goa politician's bail plea junked in Russian's rape case - Jan 04, 2010
- Supreme Court denies bail to rape accused Goa Politician - Dec 18, 2009
- Goa police not to challenge the bail plea in Russian girl rape case - Dec 10, 2009
- Goa politician booked in Russian rape case - Feb 16, 2010
- Charges framed in 2009 Russian woman's rape case - Jul 06, 2010
- Goa rape case mishandled: Russia - Dec 16, 2009
- Goa politician's bail application rejected - Aug 25, 2010
- Accused in Russian woman's rape gets anticipatory bail - Dec 08, 2009
- I got death threats outside court: Russian rape victim - Dec 09, 2009
- Crime Branch officials arrest Goa politician accused of rape - Dec 09, 2009
- Goa rape victim dreads for life, likely to withdraw complaint - Dec 09, 2009
Tags: apex court, bail plea, bombay high court, crime branch, different light, furore, initial refusal, john fernandes, magistrate, naik, panaji, rajya sabha, rape case, rape complaint, russian consulate, russian girl, russian rape, russian tourist, shantaram, wednesday afternoon