They are the two main protagonists identified in the most visible and high profile bribery scandal to have played out in Goa. Churchill Alemao and Digambar Kamat. Caught in a web of evidences against them which is getting more and more incriminating, they are both looking at a very long road to absolute freedom. Freeing themselves of the massive reputation hit, especially for Mr Digambar Kamat, will probably take a life time.
But there is one big difference in the current situation of both men. While Alemao sits in a police lock up, with the prospect of moving to Sada jail to join the former project director of the JICA funded water supply and sewerage project A M Wachasundar, looming large; Digambar Kamat is still spending his nights, a free man in the comfort of his Malbhat home.
This is something which has irked the others who have been accused of getting or facilitating – or both- massive kickbacks from Louis Berger for ensuring the allotment of the consultancy to them. Both the leaders have been named, in written statements before a magistrate, of receiving bribe amounts. One ex-employee of Louis Berger has deposed that he witnessed Rs 60 lakhs been given to then PWD minister Churchill Alemao at his Varca residence and Rs 15 lakhs at his Altinho residence. Another ex- employee of Louis Berger has confessed before a magistrate that he has delivered bribe money on two occasions to Digambar Kamat, of Rs 60 lakhs each, at the CM’s official residence in Altinho, Panjim and Mr Kamat’s private residence in Margao.
These are therefore, not vague political allegations, but written depositions which will be admissible in court. Ordinary mortals as well as not so ordinary mortals like Churchill Alemao are behind bars. While police action cannot be commensurate to the number of notes you have pocketed, you cannot blame the simple common man of Goa from asking how a man who has allegedly received Rs 1.5 crores can be free thus far and someone who has taken less than a crore (going by depositions only) has been picked up.
Thus far, Herald has supported the investigations of the Crime Branch and has appreciated the painstaking work done to make crucial arrests and force two of the most high profile leaders during the previous tenure of the Congress, duck for cover. Alemao has failed to avoid arrest and Digambar Kamat’s legal team is on tenterhooks, already preparing an appeal in the High Court if his anticipatory bail application on Wednesday gets rejected.
It is therefore very important for the Crime Branch to display the same intensity of approach and consistency in treating all under the scanner, equally. The Crime Branch opposing Mr Kamat’s bail applications has called him a “habitual offender”, who has actually “participated in conspiracy” and benefited from the bribes. These are serious charges, but brave ones too. And these remarks may not be unique to Mr Kamat’s life as a politician but may well fit the description of many politicians in Goa. But unfortunately for him, it is he who is well and truly cornered in this case and is in no position to play the innocent card any longer.
All Goa hopes at this stage is that justice should be equitable and forceful without politicians under the radar of the Crime Branch suddenly becoming holy cows. The way the Crime Branch deals with Digambar Kamat, will pretty much indicate the direction this investigation is taking.
