According to investigators, the woman, a British national of Pakistani origin, was holidaying in Goa with a girlfriend at the time of the alleged rape. In a complaint filed before the state police, the woman alleged that she and her friend were befriended by Johnny Lamano, a Nigerian tourist, and one Francis from Mumbai on March 23 last year at a popular park at Baga beach.

After partying till 3 am the next day, Lamano and Francis offered to drop the women to their hotel since no taxi was available in the vicinity. The women alleged in their complaint that the duo took them to Francis' house in Calangute instead of their hotel. When they refused to alight from the car they, particularly the journalist, were threatened at gun-point and with a broken bottle, the complaint said.

Laterin the morning, the women were taken to a hotel in Mobor, South Goa. En route, the women, who tried to escape from the vehicle, were roughed up and threatened with murder.

The women's pleas for help were ignored by the seven or eight persons who were present at the hotel, the complaint said. ``Most of them walked away though I asked for help in English, Hindi and Urdu,'' the journalist said in her complaint. Though one of locals managed to fetch a cab, the women were prevented from entering the premises by the Nigerian.

Shortly afterwards, the journalist was allegedly raped by the Nigerian though her friend was spared. Though Lamano too has been named as a rapist by the victim, her companion in a letter to British consulate officials in New Delhi said the Indian did not participate in the attack. She noted that Lamano appeared frightened by the Nigerian and asked the BBC staffer to pretend that she was raped by him.

The women, who were subsequently left off at Vagator beach, then filed a complaint withthe police.

Investigating officials say the victim is now reluctant to return to Goa to pursue the charges against the duo. In a letter to the authorities, the victim has offered to record her testimony in the United Kingdom. She noted that there was a danger to her life and also that she could not afford to come to India again this year. She added that she is suffering from trauma because of the incident.

State government officials say they are negotiating with British consulate officials in New Delhi to persuade her to testify before the Margao lower court.

Incidentally, the police were reluctant to divulge the identity of the victim when the incident was reported last year. However, ever since she revealed her place of employment in a letter to the authorities last week, the case is being pursued with renewed vigour.

Sources say without the testimony of the victim, the case may not stand up in court. The accused are currently out on bail.