PANJIM: Crime Branch (CB) on Saturday laid hands on important evidence that the investigation team could not gather even during a previous raid at former PWD minister Churchill Alemao’s residence.
The raid at the Alemao family’s tax consultant Dayesh Naik’s office in Vasco on Saturday afternoon fetched documents showing assets, reportedly worth over Rs 100 crore.
The evidence startled the CB sleuths besides various companies and properties registered in the name of Churchill’s wife Fatima, son Savio and himself; they unearthed a Candolim-based onshore casino, Raffles Square Development Pvt Ltd, in the name of one of his daughters.
Incidentally, the State Home department had recently issued a closure order to the casino’s directors after it found the validity of the hotel’s five-star category certification, from where the casino operated had expired. The order on August 27 had sought a compliance report from the North Superintendent of Police.
The assets include Sea Link and Marine Shipping Company Pvt Ltd in addition to a huge bank balance, details of which were also seized in the raid.
Interestingly, the CB sleuths discovered that a luxury car Mitsubishi Pajero was being used by the consultant, which is said to be a gift from the Alemao family. The car is registered in the name of Savio.
Sources said that daily developments in the case will ensure a watertight case against all those involved in the high-profile scam, including Alemao and former chief minister Digambar Kamat.
“Investigation is not stalled though Kamat’s anticipatory bail hearing has consumed some precious time. But the investigation team is on its toes. The documents have strengthened the case against the accused. There are more to follow,” an officer said.
In its previous raid at the Alemao residence soon after the his arrest, all the CB could get was his birth certificate.
