Panjim: The District and Sessions court Panjim, has sent notices to the Superintendent of Police and Police Inspector (Anti Corruption Bureau) in the Pandurang Madkaikar bribery allegations case. The next hearing will be on 19th March. The seven petitioners have argued that the ACB probe the allegations by Madkaikar that he had paid Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh to get his file passed and that all ministers take bribes.
“We complained to the Police Inspector (ACB) that Madkaikar had said that he had paid Rs 15 to Rs 20 lakh, so it comes under the Prevention of Corruption Act and if someone has taken that money, he too has to go to jail. First we complained to the PI and since he did not take action we complained to the SP. Under new BNS we went to Sessions Court. So today (March 11) the judge heard the case and issued notices why the FIR is not filed,” Petitioner Kashinath Shetye told Herald Media.
Inacio Dominic Pereira, another of the seven petitioners said, “The statement made by former minister Pandurang Madkaikar was very disturbing. It appeared that in Goa all work takes place after paying a bribe. So what will happen to the common man if a former minister has to pay a bribe. This is disturbing. Plus this issue has been reported in the national media. I only expected the government to come clean on that. We are not blaming anyone.”
John Nazareth, another petitioner said, “Under BNS when the police fail to file and FIR in a case, Court has the power to give them directions to file an FIR. Accordingly, we approached the court. Today the Court heard the case and gave directions to issue the notices.”