Goa to explore video-web technology for trials

PANAJI - In a bid to offset the sustained negative publicity for the state vis a vis crimes against foreigners, the Goa Law Commission (GLC) is exploring options, including judicial trials using video-web technology and special fast track courts, to try cases of foreigners.

A formal report on these suggestions will be submitted to the state government in a fortnight, according to a top GLC official.

Speaking to IANS, GLC chairman Ramakant Khalap said that the suggestions were put forth Friday at a meeting attended by senior government officials and other stake holders.

“The GLC had called a meeting to look at effective mechanisms to handle crimes against foreigners which are causing a negative impact to the state,” said Khalap, a former union minister of state for law.

He said that one of the most obvious reasons why foreigners are reluctant to file complaints is the long-drawn trials. The meeting delved upon ways to correct this situation.

“We got suggestions to start fast track courts specially to try cases dealing with foreigners. We are also examining a suggestion by the police that once charge-sheeted the case should be tried within a month,” Khalap said.

Pointing out that several trials involving foreigners often remained incomplete because the complainants return to their home countries, Khalap said the GLC was scrutinising the legal modalities for the implementation of video-web technology, where statements and cross examination could be done using video conferencing.

“A lot of cases remain pending because complainants go back to their home country. Such technology would help take cases to their logical conclusion and save a considerable amount of time,” Khalap said.

The rape of a nine-year-old Russian girl Jan 26 triggered a nationwide media debate on the safety of women tourists in Goa.

The union tourism ministry had shot off a letter to the state government seeking details on the issue of safety of tourists in the state. The Russian embassy had also warned of issuing a tourist advisory against Goa, if the state authorities did not spruce up their act.

Earlier, a 25-year-old Russian woman was allegedly raped by a Goan politician in December last year. Police have also been unable to crack the mysterious death of Russian teenager Elena Sukhonova, whose mangled body was found on the railway tracks near Thivim, 25 km from Panaji.

Goa receives nearly two million tourists annually, nearly half a million of which are foreigners.