Goa politician gets bail in Russian rape case

A district and sessions court granted bail to Fernandes on four sureties of Rs 50,000 each.

"He has been asked not to interfere with the investigation and has to appear before the investigating agencies as and when called," Fernandes' counsel Amit Palekar told PTI.

The 25-year-old Russian, employed with a five-star resort, had accused Fernandes of spiking her drink at a beach shack in Colva village on December 1, 2009 before raping her in his car.

The case initially registered with Colva police was later transferred to the Crime Branch after the Russian Consulate and the victim alleged tardy investigations.

Fernandes, who had unsuccessfully fought Goa legislative assembly election in 2006 on a Save Goa Front Party ticket, evaded arrest after the case was registered against him. He surrendered before the Goa Crime Branch on January 6, 2010 after the Supreme Court too refused to grant him anticipatory bail.

The case had taken different turns during the trial with another Russian girl, who was accompanying the victim on the fateful night, claimed that the complaint was false.

Fernandes remained in judicial custody for almost a year as the victim went to Russia for a few months without deposing before the court.