Team Herald
PANJIM: The Crime Branch that is investigating the Matka case against Leader of Opposition Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar will oppose the anticipatory bail in South Goa District and Sessions court on Monday.
Crime Branch has already challenged the ad interim relief granted by the Session Court, Margao. Sources in the Crime Branch have said that the detailed reply will be filed before court in Monday contending custodial interrogation of Kavlekar.
Sources informed that Kavlekar has not given any satisfactory answer during the interrogation that took place on Friday, immediately after court grants him ad interim relief.
Sources also informed that in the seizure of slips and diaries form the Matka den of Kavlekar in Betul, the names of many police officers who are having links in trade are exposed.
Kavlekar who was charged with the disproportionate assets case by the anti corruption branch is facing a fresh probe in alleged matka nexus in the state after finding heaps of Matka slips and dairies at his resident in Naqueri-Betul. CB on last Thursday raided his house following a tip from ACB and fond heaps of matka slips hidden in a room.
The matka case will be investigated as a part of the main First Information Report (FIR) registered in 2015 against unnamed ministers, politicians, police officials, two newspapers, matka operators and over 1,100 matka gambling bookies for indulging, protecting and profiting from the trade.
Superintendent of Police Karthik Kashyap of Crime Barnch said that Kavlekar will now be investigated as a part of the FIR booked under Sections 109, 120(B) read with Section 34, Sections 3,4,11 (2)(a) and 12(1)(a) of the Goa Gambling Act and section (13) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The high court is monitoring the case that came following a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social activist Kashinath Shetye nearly three years ago accusing police of being hand-in-gloves with the matka bookies to allow the illicit business in Goa.
The court recently directed the State government to form SIT under chairmanship of a retired judge.
