guilherme almeida
MARGAO: Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar was on Friday quizzed by the VK Jha Commission of Inquiry probing into the Canacona Ruby Residency building collapse case that had claimed 31 lives and leaving many others injured in one of the worst tragedy that hit the State early this year.
Tawadkar was holed up inside the chamber of VK Jha for around an hour and half, during which he was posed questions relating to the flat purchased by him in the Ruby Residency project, his office in the building and the permissions granted by the authorities for the construction project.
After coming out of the chamber, Tawadkar told Herald that he was summoned by the Commission to assist in the inquiry since he was staying in the Ruby Residency project. “Since I was staying in the Ruby Residence building, I was called by the Commission to assist
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in the inquiry. Whatever information was sought from me, I have given the same to the panel”, Tawadkar said, before leaving the Collectorate building.
Sources said the Minister was asked about the apartment he owns in the building and Tawadkar is believed to have deposed that he had entered into an agreement to purchase the flat long ago and that he had taken a loan to buy the apartment.
On the license issued to the Ruby Residence project, Tawadkar is reported to have deposed that the license for the project was granted when he was a MLA of then Poinguinim constituency, while the project was located in Canacona constituency. He is believed to have further deposed that he had shifted his office to the Ruby Residency since his office was under renovation.
The Jha Commission of Inquiry has so far recorded the statements of around 50 persons, including officials and the building contractor, a director of the company. Sources in the know said the contractors have been crossed-examined twice and may be summoned again for further inquiry.
Jha is being assisted by two experts, Gupta and Gadgil, besides a two-member team of lawyers, comprising of Adv Vinoj Daniel and Adv A P Cardozo.
Sources said the Commission, which has been granted three months extension, is expected to cap the ongoing inquiry by July 15 and hand over the inquiry report to the government for further action. “The inquiry is nearing completion. The Commission may summon around 10 more persons to shed light on the circumstances resulting in the collapse of the building”, sources said.
The Commission has already submitted its preliminary report to the government and the same has been forwarded to the Crime Branch, which is investigating into the building collapse case.
What Tawadkar is believed to have told the inquiry panel…
License for the project was granted when he was MLA of then Poinguinim constituency, while the project was located in
Canacona constituency
Had shifted his office to Ruby Residency since his office was under renovation
Had signed an agreement and had taken a loan to buy the apartment
