TEAM HERALD
Speaking about Herald’s report on the Camurlim woman, and the subsequent campaign taken up by the newspaper, he said that when he read it he had to hang his head in shame.
He also spoke about the number of suicides in the State given that it was such a small one, even as he admitted that possibly some cases could be about people coming from outside the state and committing the same. He however stressed that he was alarmed at the trend of people killing themselves.
Pointing out that another issue was the garbage situation that needs to be tackled on an absolute priority, he also argued that as far as the vulnerability of the State’s coastline, was ultimately need to depend on Goa to protect us, no matter how secure the coast was made.
He also spoke about friendship he developed during his time in the State even as he insisted that he would not write a book, but spend time with his family.
According to Wanchoo, he wanted to meet the CBI so that he could clear the air and also put to rest all the talks that were going around about permission not being given.
He also said that he had met Rajnath Singh and had spoken to him about the resumption of mining.
Wanchoo, was in the Goa Raj Bhavan for a little over two years.
His reason for his questioning was after his proximity to the Gandhi’s got him the top job as the head of the Special Protection Group, which put him in a group which would decide the technical aspects on of the deal with Augusta Westland for the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters in 2010. After allegations and accusations, a parliamentary probe was conducted and finally the case was handed over to the CBI. The deal was scrapped in January this year.
CBI sources said that the Governor was being spoken to about allegations of bribery paid to Indian officials in the Rs 3600 crore VVIP chopper deal under Sec 161 CrPC.
Wanchoo, in a statement issued soon after said that “he hoped that his statement would have clarified any issues that the CBI may have had and hopes that the CBI would conclude their investigation to bring out the truth at the very earliest.”
“The Governor after he became aware through the media several months back that the CBI was desirous of recording his statement as a witness, was very keen that the same be recorded at the very earliest for the purpose of completing the legal process in the above case,” he said.
The formal request from the CBI was received on June 24, 2014, after which the CBI was intimated that they could record the Governor’s statement in Goa.
