PANJIM: After receiving unwanted ‘guests’, in the form of the raiding party of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and then sleuths of the Crime Branch in quick succession, Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar was the much wanted ‘guest’ of the Crime Branch at its office at Ribandar.
He was summoned in connection with the Crime Branch swoop on his premises where a room, hitherto sealed by the ACB, looked to have been converted into sanctum sanctorum of a well-oiled matka operation, according to the raiding team, which found heaps of matka slips and diaries in a room attached to his residence in Betul.
Kavlekar arrived in a private car at around 12.45pm and left Crime Branch at 2.15pm.
His interrogation at the Crime Branch headquarters on Friday, lasted for almost an hour and a half in the alleged matka case. Speaking to reporters outside the Crime Branch office, Kavlekar said he is as clean as a whistle and has nothing to hide. “I have nothing to hide, I am clean. I have faith in law and judiciary”, Kavlekar said.
A Crime Branch officer said Kavlekar’s presence was required to seek an explanation over the seizure of the matka slips from his residence.
Kavlekar who was charged with holding assets disproportionate to his known sources of income is facing a fresh probe in the alleged matka nexus in the State. Kavlekar’s brother, Babal, has been summoned by the Crime Branch on Monday for questioning. Sources said that the matka business was allegedly managed by Babal.
The matka case will be investigated as part of the main First Information Report (FIR) registered in 2015 against unnamed ministers, politicians, police officials, two newspapers, matka operators and over 1100 matka gambling bookies for indulging, protecting and profiting from the trade.
The High Court is monitoring the case that arose following a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Kashinath Shetye nearly three years ago alleging that the police were hand-in-glove with matka bookies to allow the illicit business in Goa. The court recently directed the State government to form SIT under chairmanship of a retired judge.
