PANJIM: The Crime Branch (CB) is likely to investigate Kenneth Silveira’s cash transaction as ongoing probe into a land scam near Mopa International Airport is unearthing new revelations of massive fraud committed by six alleged accused. The investigation sleuths are also probing into allegations that alleged fraudsters threatened persons connected with the case to not make the true facts public.
The CB informed judicial magistrate that the cash transaction claimed by Silveira in his affidavit dated March 18, 2014 filed before Income Tax authorities is to be investigated, being contradictory to the terms of deed of sale executed between Silveira and accused Francy Gonsalves.
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“It has also come on record that the accused have pressured the persons connected with this case so as not to disclose the true facts due to which the investigation was pending for a long time. However with the arrest of accused Francy Gonsalves, the concerned persons gained confidence and disclosed the truth due to which it was possible for the investigating agency to collect vital clues and evidence for further investigation,” reads the submission.
Gonsalves, currently in judicial custody, is accused of executing fake power of attorney in the name of Madval as well as executing the sale deed favouring Silveira for illegal monetary gains. The power of attorney was executed in the office of an advocate without any documentary evidence of the so-called plot owner’s identity or photograph.
Sources told Herald that Silveira had withdrawn Rs 13 lakh approximately from his bank account. Since the amount was lump sum, he came under the scanner of the Income Tax. It was at this time that he submitted an affidavit to the tax officials that the withdrawal was meant to pay to one Laxmibai Madval, owner of the plot.
“But the amount was never paid as the woman didn’t exist and neither her address given by the accused was correct,” sources said.
Since the accused until then managed to hoodwink the authorities, Silveira was thereafter paid by the government Rs 49 lakh approximately as compensation towards loss of land towards the construction of the new airport.
The CB also intends to seek Gonsalves’ police custody so as to interrogate him and Silveira together “in order to arrive at a conclusion with regards to execution of sale deed of this property, defrauding the government exchequer of several lakh of rupees and to recover the vital documents involved in this case.”
“The offence is serious in nature and both prime accused are the main beneficiary of this illegal gain. Silveira’s arrest will also be crucial for the ongoing investigation,” sources said.
While Gonsalves’ bail plea was rejected by the judicial magistrate, Pernem on October 7; the Additional Sessions Judge-I will pronounce its verdict on the anticipatory bail plea of Silveira on October 12.
The scam was exposed when the accused had applied for fresh compensation to the tune of Rs 1.50 crore approximately and the application was forwarded to the account department for the release.
