PANAJI: Pop star Remo Fernandes in his anticipatory bail application filed before the Children’s Court, has accused the family of the injured girl of demanding ₹-3 lakh as compensation and that they have filed a case against him because he refused their ‘unreasonable’ demand.
The application will come up for hearing on Friday at 10 am in the Children's Court at Panaji.
According to the application filed, Remo and his son reached GMC at 3 pm sharp on December 03, and the injured and her family all had a very cordial and friendly chat, during which he assured them of all his assistance.
After a while he requested the family to come out to the veranda where they could discuss their expenses and that he accepted all expense figures just as they quoted them, without reducing or arguing about a single one.
“After counting everything, i.e. taxis to and from Sindhudurg, their food in Goa throughout the two stays, plus money for additional medicines, I the total figure which worked out to about Rs. 25,000/- to Rs. 28,000/- and offered to pay double ofit i.e. Rs. 50,000/- as a goodwill gesture,” the application reads.
“To my horror and surprise of the younger sister of the injured in a very rude and impolite manner, began demanding that the Applicant should pay nothing short of ₹ 3 lakhs at the moment. When I asked her why she is demanding so much, her reply was ‘Because you have prestige’,” Remo has said in his application.
“The Applicant at this time asked her, ‘So the price of your sister’s accident is relative to the car driver’s prestige? If it is Remo, it is Rs 3 lakhs? If it were Ambani, would the price be Rs 3 crores?’” the application reads.
Remo in his application has said that he was first approached by one Fr Andrew D’Mello who organised the walking pilgrimage to Old Goa from Malvan to help the girl financially.
“Fr Andrew took (Remo) aside and spoke thus: ‘We don’t want to ask you for any money or compensation, as we know it is not your fault, it is nobody’s fault, it is the buffaloes’ fault. But this family is not well to do, and they don’t have a father, so we request you to please take care of the girl’s treatment and medicine expenses, as well as the travel and stay of the family members who will stay with (name withheld) until she leaves GMC. They will sign an affidavit clearing you of any blame; at that time, you please give them enough to make up for their expenses,’” Remo has said in his application explaining why he visited GMC to offer financial assistance to the girl and her family.
A car being driven by Remo’s son Jonah ran over the leg of one of the pilgrims who rushed onto the road after a herd of buffaloes jumped on the road from the field causing the young girl to walk onto the carriageway. Remo is accused of having abused the young girl when he visited the family at GMC on December 3.
