PANJIM: The Special Court, North Goa, on Monday granted interim anticipatory bail to former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat who is being investigated by Crime Branch’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) in connection with the illegal mining scam.
Granting interim anticipatory bail, Judge Irshad Agha, fixed the next hearing of the case on November 27.
The court, which heard the petition for anticipatory bail application on Monday, stated that “in case of his arrest by the SIT, he should be bailed out on a personal bond of Rs one lakh and surety of like amount.”
Advocate Shivan Desai appearing for Kamat submitted in court that despite anticipatory bail being pending before the Court, SIT had attempted to arrest the former Chief Minister while SIT Counsel G Kirtani said that no such attempt was made.
Desai told reporters that Crime Branch did not furnish their reply before the Court during the hearing on Monday.
Kamat is being investigated by SIT in connection with the case filed in September 2014 against mine owner Prafulla Hede for condonation of delay in mining lease located at Collem. The former chief minister has been summoned for questioning by SIT on Tuesday.
SIT had attempted to arrest Kamat in connection with the case following former Mines Secretary Rajiv Yaduvanshi having turned government approver in the case.
The Justice M B Shah Commission, which had investigated the mining scam, had observed that several mining companies were allowed to fraudulently use the clause of condonation of delay to get their leases renewed.
Apart from Hede, an offence was also registered against public servants and government officials. SIT had questioned several government officials, including Yaduvanshi, in connection with the case.
