Congress on Sunday demanded that Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho should immediately step down from the cabinet to ensure impartial investigation into the death of Merces panch Prakash Naik. The demand comes following Old Goa Police registering FIR against Wilson, brother of Panchayat Minister, in connection with the death of Naik.
In a press statement issued, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) president Girish Chodankar said Wilson Godinho, the elder brother of the minister, has been named in the WhatsApp message that was sent by Naik seconds before his death. “We demand that Mauvin should immediately step down from the State cabinet or Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should sack him to make sure that the investigation in the case is impartial and the one who is found involved in the act be punished,” Chodankar said. He demanded that Godinho should step down with immediate effect as wasting any more time on this case can lead to destruction of evidences.
Chodankar said, “It is obvious that there would be a political pressure on the investigating officer as Godinho is a senior member in the Cabinet, who works like HMV (His Master’s Voice) on several issues.
The Congress leader said the death indicates how the land mafia has been operating in the State under BJP-led government’s rule.
“Detailed investigation into this incident can help police to dig into a larger conspiracy. But for that, the police should be provided with free hand,” he said.
