Team Herald
PANJIM: Following directions from Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court, Crime Branch (CB) has registered a FIR against police, politicians, some media and others.
FIR has named five matka operators from Gujarat, one Parekh from Goa, one politician Kiran from Tivim, 1100 bookies across the State, two newspapers and police officers, ministers and politicians.
Last month the court had directed CB to register the FIR and investigate the police-politician-matka gambling mafia. The direction came after local activist Kashinath Shetye filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with evidence that matka is in operation with the blessings of police and politicians.
There are a number of politicians and even MLAs linked to it. Some MLAs, including Chandrakant Kavalekar of Congress and Kiran Kandolkar of BJP, had sought that matka be legalized in the State.
In his complaint, Shetye had said that police are hand-in-glove with matka agents and the officers are paid a monthly hafta. Shetye submitted evidence that matka bets are openly accepted at prominent places in Panjim and other areas.
CB has now been given the task of cracking the gangs operational in Goa and has to submit its report every six months to the court. CB has registered the offence under Section 3, 4 & 11 (2) (a) GDD PG Act 1976 and Section 109, 120-B r/w 34 of IPC 1860 and also Section 13 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.
