By IANS,
Panaji : Russian teenager Elena Sukhonova, who was killed in Goa in May, was a drug user and fond of making friends, especially with men, according to a report in the case, prepared by the police.
The police claim in the report that Elena was “desperately trying to procure drugs”. It reiterates the earlier police theory that the Russian teenager could have fallen to her death from a train. IANS has access to a copy of the report.
The fall-to-death theory has been severely criticised by Russian authorities, who have asked the police to pursue a homicide angle into the 19-year-old’s death.
The police allege in the report that Elena was “trying to source cocaine from the owner of a shop named OM, which sells trinkets at Calangute. She gave a missed call to the Om shop owner, following which he SMSed her at 0045 (12:45 a.m.) saying ‘what are you doing dis time?’ to which Elena replied, ‘u have cocaine’.”
The report, which was prepared by Superintendent of Police Tony Fernandes, also describes Elena “as a fun loving girl, who liked making friends, especially males and also used to return to her hotel very late”.
“It is also possible that she used to consume drinks, especially beer, cocktails and took drugs such as hashish, cocaine, ecstasy, as she had made a mention of the said drugs to witnesses, who had deposed in their statements,” the report states.
The police also claim that another witness, a Mumbai-based youth named Saurabh Jain, had made a statement to the police that he had invited Elena to Mumbai.
“There is every possibility that Elena may be travelling to Mumbai by train. It appears that Jain is not disclosing regarding her to Mumbai trip out of fear, as she is already dead,” the report states.
However, Vikram Varma, a lawyer who represents the Russian consulate in Mumbai, claims that the police report was presumptive in nature and said it was “unfortunate that it comments about a person who is not there to defend herself”.
“There is a clear possibility that Elena was probably murdered. We hope the authorities will take appropriate action in the matter,” Varma said.
Sukhonova’s mutilated body was found on the rail tracks some kilometres from the Thivim railway station in North Goa. The police claimed that the death was an accident, a theory which was ridiculed by Konkan Railway officials.
No criminal case has been filed in the matter yet.