MARGAO: South Goa Additional Sessions Judge Vincent D’Silva on Wednesday dismissed the bail applications of building contractor Vishwas B Desai and director of Bharat Developer Pradip Singh Birring for want of jurisdiction.
Judge D’Silva maintained that the appropriate court to deal with and hear anticipatory bail applications in cases under Prevention of Corruption Act is the special judge. Continuing his arguments on Wednesday, Special Public Prosecutor Adv Rajiv Gomes maintained that only the special judge notified to try cases under the Prevention of Corruption Act is empowered to hear anticipatory bail applications. In support of his argument, he cited a judgement of the Bihar high court to impress that only a special judge is empowered to hear anticipatory bail plea under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Municipal engineer moves for bail
MARGAO: Fearing arrest under the Prevention of Corruption Act, former Canacona municipal engineer Ashank Manju Naik Gaunkar has moved the Special Judge, South, for anticipatory bail. In his application, Gaunkar said that the construction license in the name of Jagdeep Singh Sehgal and Pradip Singh Birring was issued by the Canacona Municipality in May 2010, adding that he was transferred to the Margao Municipal Council October/November the same year. He maintained that no construction had started during his tenure when he was attached to the Canacona Municipality, adding that the construction work of the building had started after his transfer.
Falsely implicated: Dy town planner
MARGAO: Arrested deputy Town Planner Prakash Bandodkar on Wednesday moved the Special Judge, South, for bail, claiming that he was falsely implicated in the Canacona building collapse case.
In his bail plea, Bandodkar stressed that his role was limited to passing of the plan within the prescribed limit of area given under the law, adding that he has acted within the powers of law. After his arrest, Bandodkar was remanded to six days police custody for further investigations in the case. He has prayed to the court for bail, saying that he would cooperate in the investigations and will abide by any terms and conditions.
