Goa ACB detains Congress MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar over corruption charges
Total Views |
Panaji, September 17: Goa legislative assembly and Congress MLA Chandrakant Kavlekar have been booked by Goa’s anti-corruption bureau (ACB) for stocking up on disproportionate assets of Rs. five crore.
His wife Savitri Kavlekar, who is also a Congress leader, was booked after the ACB raided couple’s residence and office premises. Defending Kavlekar, Congress President Shantaram Naik said that the raids are politically motivated and Congress MLAs are pressurized to join the BJP-led coalition government. Naik said that this government fears that it will lose majority soon and therefore, have been using police to threaten Congress MLAs in a bid to make them join the BJP.
According to Bosco George, Superintendent of Police (ACB), an FIR has been filed against Kavlekar under sections 13(ii) read with 13 (1) (e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, while his wife Savitri has been also been booked for abetting the crime.
Addressing the Press Conference George said that the raids were conducted on Saturday morning, in connection with the disproportionate assets case where 14 properties worth crores of rupees were purchased in Kerala. Kavlekar and his wife have amassed disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 4.78 crore, which is around 59.21% above their known sources of income George said at a press conference in Panaji.
Custodial interrogation of Kavlekar will not be eliminated by ACB. From January 2007 to April 2013, Kavlekar purchased the properties during which he held the post of Chairman, Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC). While Kavlekar insisted that he had not done anything wrong. Kavlekar said that I have been co-operating with the anti-corruption bureau and yet this is the fourth occasion when I have been raided. I know I have not done anything wrong
Defending ACB’s action Chief minister Manohar Parrikar said that it’s a standard procedure. They probably have found disproportionate assets, therefore, they have acted. Also, it is just an FIR right now action will be taken if he is found guilty. We should allow them to probe.