PANJIM: Calangute Police have booked Calangute
MLA Michael Lobo and Save Calangute member Kundan Kerkar for illegally
demolishing a private compound wall by misusing power. However, Lobo and Kerkar
said the complaint is false and refuted the charges.
Based on a complaint filed by Francis Rodrigies,
the owner of a property at Naika Wado Calangute, Calangute Police registered an
FIR under section 447, 341, 506 (ii) of Indian Penal Code.
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In his complaint dated February 13, Rodrigues
said that in spite of having approvals from all authorities and the
construction license, the MLA along with the Kerkar forcefully asked the JCB
operator to demolish the compound wall by threatening him.
Maria Agnela, mother-in-law of the complainant said
that the act of the local MLA, who is also chairman of the North Goa Planning and
Development Authority, is shocking. She said that a day prior to the illegal
demolition a PDA team had inspected the site and they had submitted all the
documentation to them.
“I was shocked after knowing that MLA Lobo
himself has illegally ordered the demolition when he was seized of the matter. On
Friday at 1.30pm I received the notice from PDA stating that on the same day at
3.30pm an inspection had been scheduled. I have no issues with that but despite
the legal process being on, the demolition is very shameful act,” said Maria
Agnela, one of the owners of the property.
She said they have not received any
correspondence or show cause notice from the PDA. Lobo has failed to do his job
properly as chairman of thePDA, she added.
Frazer Rodrigues, Maria’s son, said the MLA and
Kerker had accused his family of blocking traditional access. “We have kept the
access as per the plan and as per requirement. This is just vote bank politics
which is played by Michael Lobo to secure his position,” he said.
Kerkar, refuting the charges, said he was not
involved in demolishing the compound wall and the FIR registered is based on
false information provided to the police.
Lobo said he intervened in the matter as hundreds
of villagers were gathered as the access was blocked by the construction of the
compound wall but he did not force anybody to demolish the wall.
“The compound wall was demolished by villagers themselves
after being convinced that it will create obstruction to other neighbours. I
have not forced anybody to demolish it,” Lobo said.
