Arguments on framing of charges on Oct 12

PANJIM: The special court on Saturday fixed October 12 to hear arguments on framing of charges against all seven accused, charged with corruption, criminal conspiracy and manipulation of official information in the Louis Berger bribery case.

Special Judge B P Deshpande issued notices to the accused and the replies will also be heard on the same day. 

The two jailed accused – former PWD minister Churchill Alemao and ex-JICA project director Anand Wachasundar; LB’s former top executive James McClung, former vice president of LB (India) Satyakam Mohanty, alleged hawala operator Raichand Soni, MMC Chairperson Arthur D’Silva and the US-based firm are charged under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 201 (destruction of evidence and giving false information) of Indian Penal Code and Sections 7, 8, 9 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The special court has also directed Crime Branch to submit photocopies of the statements of the nine witnesses and accused – recorded under section 164 CrPC – to Alemao and Wachasundar. The duo – whose bail applications have been rejected twice – filed fresh bail applications soon after CB filed a chargesheet in the case on Monday. Their bail applications will be heard on Tuesday.