Popular pop singer Remo Fernandes, accused of verbally abusing a minor girl who got injured by a vehicle driven by his son, has sought anticipatory bail from the Goa Children's Court.
The 62-year-old singer, in the bail plea filed today, has claimed innocence and said he is being falsely implicated in the case.
He has also alleged the girl had demanded Rs three lakh from him as against Rs 50,000 offered by him as a compensation.
The bail application filed by his lawyer Rajiv Gomes states that the singer is a native of Goa but has acquired Portuguese nationality and possesses a passport of that country.
"Though the applicant is a Portuguese national, he being a native of Goa has several properties in Goa and also has family members and roots in Goa," it says.
The plea further states that he also has business interests in Goa and India and therefore there can be no apprehension of the applicant absconding and not attending the trial.
Remo is currently in Europe and is expected to return on January 8. Goa police has already issued a lookout notice for him.
The singer has said that he had met the girl in Goa medical college hospital on December 3 after the accident involving his son Jonah and, as per her demand, offered to pay Rs 50,000 for treatment and travel.
The petition says, "But to the horror and surprise, the younger sister of the injured (girl),in a very rude and impolite manner, began demanding that the singer pay nothing short of Rs 3 lakh at the moment".
"When he asked her why she is demanding so much, her reply was 'because you have prestige'," claims the plea.
The application will come up for hearing in due course.
