Team Herald
VASCO: Close on the heels of Adv Rajeev Gomes’ Portuguese nationality episode, a villager from Cansaulim has filed a complaint before Verna police requesting them to investigate the nationality of Cansualim Panch Martha Saldanha.
According to information, the complaint has been filed by one Cezear Anthony Fernandes, who is backed by Cansaulim Arossim Cuelim Civic and Consumer Forum and Cansaulim Villagers Action Committee.
Besides the Verna Police, Fernandes has filed similar complaints before the Deputy Superintendent Police, Vasco, the Director General of Police, the Chief Electoral Officer, the Director of Panchayats and the Chief Secretary.
In his complaint to the Chief Electoral Officer, Fernandes has requested for filing of disqualification petition against Saldanha and also initiation of criminal proceedings against her.
In his complaint, Fernandes has requested the Director of Panchayat to immediately debar Saldanha from participating in the panchayat meetings.
Meanwhile, a delegation of villagers Friday met Verna Police Inspector Shailesh Narvekar and requested him to take the case seriously and investigate it thoroughly.
“Birth of Marta Filipa Verdes e Saldanha has been registered in the Central Registry of Births, Marriage and Deaths of Lisbon, Portugal as Assento de Nascimento No 89584 in the year 2009. She has contested two panchayat elections once in 2012 and recently in December 2015 after acquiring Portuguese Nationality in 2009 and has sworn false affidavits stating she is an Indian national. Also there is no proper authorisation obtained by her to justify her continuous stay in this country and has also violated the immigration law of the country,” complaint reads.
When Herald contacted, PI Narvekar said, “We have received the complaint and have been investigating the case. If the charges are proved then we will register an FIR against Saldanha.”
Refuting the allegations, Saldanha said, “I am not a Portuguese citizen as I don’t have given up my Indian nationality, nor I have obtained Portuguese passport. The allegations levelled against me are totally false and I feel that the police would investigate and take appropriate action. I have only my birth registered in Portugal like the way hundreds of Goans have got their births registered in Portuguese.”
