Goa rape suspect flees

Panaji: John Fernandes, accused of raping a Russian woman in Goa, has gone missing after his anticipatory bail was cancelled by the high court on Tuesday, police said on Wednesday.

Fernandes, who allegedly raped the 25-year-old woman in the wee hours of December 2, had been granted anticipatory bail by a local court earlier.

Speaking to reporters, police spokesperson Atmaram Deshpande said that efforts were being made to trace him.

"Naturally it's a guilty mind. All steps required to catch fugitives will be done in this case now," he said.

Incidentally, the state police are on record saying that they did not make any efforts to trace Fernandes during the time he was granted anticipatory bail.

"We did not make any attempt to trace him. We want him in custody. We do not want to have a chat with him," Deshpande had said last week, when asked whether police were on the look out for Fernandes.

Counsel for the Russian government in Goa, Vikram Verma has said that the victim has been pressurised many times to change her stand.

"After being a victim of rape, she was verbally abused and pressure was applied on her to change her stand. The Russian government will respect any suggestions of the Goa government."