PANJIM: Former chief minister Digambar Kamat’s brother-in-law Gaurish ‘Pinky’ Lawande could face legal action as Crime Branch’s (CB) scrutiny into files seized from his office last month hint at corruption and criminal conspiracy.
Sources said the ongoing scrutiny of the files, a majority of which are related to land conversions, indicate a huge scam.
“The documents, in addition to statements of some witnesses claiming he took bribes to expedite conversions, are crucial evidence to nail him. We have come across some violations while verifying the documents,” an officer said.
The investigation agency summoned Lawande to appear on Monday due to this. “We wanted some clarification which is why he was called for questioning on Monday. His presence is required again,” the officer said.
The files, earlier in possession of Enforcement Directorate (ED) as part of its investigation related to money laundering in the Louis Berger bribery case, were recently handed over to CB sleuths. These were seized from Lawande’s office at La Capitol in a joint raid by CB and ED last month subsequent to which Lawande was interrogated by the latter.
CB is also verifying sale deeds it sought from the Margao office. “If there is evidence against him, CB will make him an accused in the FIR registered against ‘some minister and Louis Berger’, in the JICA watergate bribery scam,” he said.
