The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Wednesday said there are major lapses in the probe into the murder of British teenager Scarlett Eden Keeling and the Goan police was trying to shield some people involved in the incident.

Taking a suo moto cognisance of the case, a two-member team of the NCW headed by its member Nirmala Venkatesh went to Goa [Images] and investigated the matter.

"There is a total police failure in Goa. Police are trying to cover up the real issue. There could be drug cartel that may be operational. We have gathered that the police are trying to shield some people involved in the incident," Venkatesh told reporters here, adding that there are major lapses on the part of police in the investigation.

"The commission cannot say whether those involved are influential or not but there is something incorrect that is for sure," Venketesh said.

Regarding the lapses in the probe, she said the viscera of the victim was sent to a forensic laboratory after a substantial delay of 15 days.

"The commission believes that this was deliberate so that the semen could not be used for the test which was very vital in a rape case," she said.

Scarlett was allegedly drugged, raped and murdered on the Anjuna beach on February 18.

"We feel that there should be women security officials at the Goa airport. There should be posters and banners and enough publicity for the awareness of tourists," Venkatesh added.