Team Herald
PANJIM: The Special Investigation Team confronted former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat with documentary evidence in connection with the alleged multi-crore mining scam, during his two-hour long questioning on Monday.
The SIT had last Friday issued Kamat summons based on depositions of former principal mines secretary Rajeev Yaduvanshi (IAS) and former mines director J Bhingui under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. “He (Kamat) was confronted with facts revealed through statements of Yaduvanshi and Bhingui under Section 164 CrPC,” SIT SP Kartik Kashyap told Herald.
Yaduvanshi, who is now a State approver, had deposed before the magistrate in connection with the investigation into illegal condonation of delay alleging that he had worked under political pressure and that Kamat personally approved the files. Bhingui too alleged he had worked under political pressure, before Arvind Lolienkar took over as director of the Mines Department. All this happened when Kamat was the Mines Minister and later Chief Minister.
The SIT also examined the acquisition of mining lease belonging to Bandekar by the Mines & Geology Department, which actually is the domain of Public Works Department (PWD). “It is the first and the last case so far, that a part of mining lease is acquired by the Mines Department rather than the PWD. Bandekar, in his affidavit had said that Kamat pressurised him to give a part of his lease, which the former refused. When Kamat took over as CM, the same part of the lease was acquired and a jetty was built in the name of Alcon Cement,” the officer said adding, “However, no cement operations were carried out and ultimately, it was converted to mining jetty. Many fly-by-night operators and suspicious traders used this jetty to transport ore.”
Kamat was thus questioned on this aspect as well, to which sources said, he gave vague answers like it was done in the interest of cement operations.
While it is not known if the Margao MLA would be summoned again, his brother-in-law Govindraj Dempo has been summoned to appear for questioning on May 7 in connection with alleged shell companies in India and abroad as well as bank accounts linked to foreign banks.
SIT has issued yet another summons to Karwar Independent MLA Saitsh Sail. He has been asked to be present for investigation on Wednesday at 11am. This is the third time he has been called for questioning.
