The North Goa police have sought the assistance of the Indian Embassy in Lisbon to serve a summons on pop star Remo Fernandes for allegedly verbally abusing a minor girl.
Police inspector Jivba Dalvi sent the summons to the Foreigner Regional Registration Office here to be forwarded to the Embassy. Mr. Fernandes, a Portuguese national, currently stays in that country.
Denying the charges, Mr. Fernandes has communicated through his lawyers that he was away in Europe. Two summons were issued to him last week to appear before the police on Wednesday. His son, Jonah Fernandes, too has got a summons. A car driven by Jonah hit the girl. Mr. Fernandes, who was travelling with his son, verbally abused her.
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Last week, the police registered a first information report under Section 8 of the Goa Children’s Act, 2003, against Mr. Fernandes after recording the statement of the girl. The charges were non-bailable and if found guilty, the accused could get up to three years in prison and a fine of up to Rs. 1 lakh.
The Mapusa police had registered an offence of rash and negligent driving against Jonah under Sections 279 and 338 of the Indian Penal Code. The girl is, at present, recovering at the State-run Goa Medical College Hospital in Bambolim.