Team Herald
PANJIM: In what could add to Calangute MLA Michael Lobo’s woes in the forgery of coastal regulation zone (CRZ) no objection certificate (NOC), Crime Branch is examining the possibility of registering a fresh case of corruption against him and government officials.
Sources said the forgery of the NOC on the letterhead of Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority could invite more trouble for the BJP MLA as well as the officials who abetted the crime, back in 2006.
“He (Lobo) could be booked for a separate offence in the same case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Government officials who aided him will also face charges. We are examining the matter as evidence has come to the fore while investigating the present offence of forgery,” a senior officer said wishing anonymity.
The forged NOC issued to one Gurunek Singh Mann on May 17, 2006, on the basis of how the project was “cleared” stated ‘The plot in survey numbers 319/2, 3,5, and 12 at Calangute was located beyond 500 mtrs from the high tide line.
“It has been verified that the plot is located beyond 500 mtrs from the high tide line, on the landward side. As such, any development proposed on the said plot, does not attract the provisions of the CRZ notification of 1991,” reads an extract of the letter, a copy of which is in possession of Herald.
Police officers claim that Lobo was well aware of the forgery although he has denied having any knowledge on the same. “Being a builder then (2006), he had taken the sole responsibility to obtain permissions from the concerned authorities. He has been an influential builder though he holds 25 per cent ownership of the hotel,” he said.
The investigation agency has also received a confirmation that there was no conversion sanad issued by the district collectorate, for the survey numbers.
With eight criminal cases, including attempted murder also registered at different police stations, the police department is contemplating to speed up investigation of cases in final stage of charge-sheet while appeal the court to expedite trial of cases already at different stages of trial.
