Goa politician’s bail application rejected

PANAJI - The Panaji bench of the Bombay high court Wednesday rejected the bail plea of a Goa politician, who has been accused of raping a 25-year-old Russian woman at Colva beach last year.

Justice Nelson Britto observed that John Fernandes, 30, a member of a regional political party, could not be granted bail because the victim had not deposed in course of the trial yet.

“There is a possibility of the accused interfering with the witness, if he is set free,” Britto said.

John Fernandes had been accused of drugging and subsequently raping a 25-year-old Russian woman at Colva beach, 35 km from here, in December. The victim was working as a liaison officer at a five-star resort.