PANJIM: The Special Court, North Goa, heard partial arguments of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday opposing the anticipatory bail plea of former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat in the main mining case, while in the other anticipatory bail in the case of illegal condonation of mining leases, SIT sought more time to file its reply.
The court will hear arguments in the main case on December 1, while it has granted SIT time till December 7 to file its reply in the illegal condonation of leases case.
In both cases, the court has already granted interim relief to Kamat pending the final disposal. In the Prafulla Hede’s mining case interim relief was awarded on November 20 while in main mining scam it was awarded on April 24 this year.
In the illegal condonation of mining leases case, SIT had tried to arrest Kamat two days before the court could grant him interim bail. While in the other case, the Court had granted him interim relief before he could appear before SIT.
In Hede’s case, Kamat, his son Yogiraj and brother-in-law Satish Lawande have already deposed before the SIT following summons issued to them.
SIT is investigating Kamat in connection with the case filed in September 2014 against Hede for condonation of delay in the mining lease located at Collem. The Justice M B Shah Commission, which had investigated the mining scam, had observed that several mining companies were allowed to fraudulently use the clause of condonation of delay for renewal of their leases.
In the main mining case arguments are being made partially by senior advocate Surendra Desai who is representing Kamat. Desai submitted that Kamat is being targeted and there is no requirement of his custody.
