Two men charged in connection with British teenager's death in Goa

Two suspects involved in the death of British teenager Scarlett Keeling in Goa last year were yesterday formally charged in court.

India's Central Bureau of Investigation filed charges against Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, assault with intent to outrage a woman's modesty and administering a stupefying drug with intent to harm.

They were also charged with destruction of evidence.

Police had arrested 28-year-old Mr D'Souza, a barman, and Mr Carvalho, a suspected drug dealer in his 30s, for allegedly drugging and raping Scarlett and leaving her to die on Goa's Anjuna beach.

The body of the 15-year-old from Bideford, Devon was discovered on the beach on February 18 last year.

Vikram Varma, lawyer for her mother, Fiona MacKeown, told the Press Association: "From what I heard, the charges have been filed in the children's court in Goa and the CBI has diluted it as much as possible.

"The five to six people involved in the incident have been reduced to just two and the quality is not what was expected. I have not examined the charges yet, but if what I have heard is true, it is very disappointing."

Statements of those who saw Scarlett with the two suspects the day she was allegedly murdered, the police and the doctor who examined the body along with statements from Ms MacKeown are included in the CBI charges.

In July, the CBI was granted three months to investigate the case and file its charges. Later, on October 14 the agency asked for 10 more days to appear before the court with the charges.

CBI officials were given the case following accusations that the Goa police were trying to cover it up.

Both suspects are currently out on bail.