PANJIM: Goa Foundation director Claude Alvares was on Monday arrested and released on bail in connection with the offence registered against him of locking the office of the Directorate of Mines & Geology Department.
Panjim PI Siddhant Shirodkar said Alvares has been directed to report to the police station for three days for investigation. “He was arrested and soon released on bail on condition that he reports to the police station for three days. His questioning for our investigation is a must. We will also examine more witnesses in the case,” Shirodkar told Herald.
Panjim Police had registered an FIR against Alvares and Rahul Basu for locking the Department of Mines and Geology office and interrupting government work.
Sources said the police questioning will seek to know from where Alvares got the lock and the key. “We expect him to speak and speak the truth. From where did he get the lock, the key and the chain too? Who put the banner in the office premises? Many things need to be unearthed. Many more will be quizzed,” said the official.
The FIR was registered for damage to public property, wrong confinement and obstruction to public servants while on duty.
Last month Goa Foundation along with NGOs had locked the door of the Mines Department and handed over the keys to Panjim police station. The NGO had alleged that the department was not acting responsibly to deal with the mining scam and had demanded that the department be closed permanently.
