Cops record cabin crew’s statements on Churchill players

The investigators probing the molestation case against three players of the Goa-based football club Churchill Brothers have begun recording the statements of the cabin crew. According to the police,the three accused — Okolie Odafa,Ogba Kalu (20) and Arindam Bhattacharya (20) — were seated in 10 A,10 B and 10 D of Spice Jet flight SG 804.

“The statements given by the cabin crew corroborate the statement of the airhostess on the sequence of events,” said an official from the investigating team. According to the police,the emphasis is to first establish the journey detail of the Spice Jet Flight. The records of ATC have also been sought and verified. The records include transcripts and recordings of the conversation between the pilot and the ATC wherein the pilot sought permission for a priority landing.

Most importantly,the cabin crew has verified that the airhostess had warned the players after one of them showed signs of misbehavior,according to the police.  

The police have now called for all the documents establishing the accused were in the flight — including the flight manisfesto,the ticket details and the counterfoils noting the seating arrangements. The police have also summoned the coach of the team along with the accused. According to witnesses’ statements,the coach was told to warn the team to behave themselves.

The three accused players were in the city on Tuesday to meet their lawyer,according to the Churchill Brothers owner,Joaquim Alemao. “Let the law take its own course. I have nothing else to say,” said Alemao. The players left the city on Tuesday night.