Three persons, said to have raped and murdered 15-year-old British tourist Scarlette Keeling in Goa [Images], are likely to be arrested.

The Goa police said three persons had been detained and were being questioned. Though the police initially said Scarlette drowned to death, the two autopsy reports stated that she was sexually assaulted.

The police are now digging deep into a possible drug angle in the case. Eye-witnesses claimed Scarlette was last seen with three persons, believed to be drug dealers. They were seen consuming cocaine, witnesses said.

The police said four more persons could have been involved in the case and a search operation had already been launched. A case of murder and rape has been registered.

Earlier, sources in the Goa Medical College told rediff.com the second autopsy report stated that there were at least 50 wounds on Scarlette's body.

A medical team comprising three doctors were unanimous in their decision. The team had been specially constituted to conduct the second autopsy report. The report concluded that the hymen had been ruptured, indicating that she was sexually assaulted.

The version of the family has now been vindicated with the second autopsy report. Even the first autopsy report suggested drowning after she was raped. However, it was alleged that the police hid the fact from the public and reported only a case of death by drowning as they feared that it might hit the tourism industry in Goa.