PANJIM: The Enforcement Directorate, Goa, has confiscated properties of former Chief Ministers Digambar Kamat and Churchill Alemao, who have been investigated in the multi-crore Louis Berger bribery case.
ED investigating officials, following authorisation from the Central government, have confiscated movable and immovable properties worth Rs 1.95 crore belonging to both senior politicians, who were re-elected to the Legislative Assembly in the recently held polls.
As per data shared by ED Joint Director Pravin Pawar, the properties seized include 4047 sq feet plot at Gogol, Margao, residential building at Taleigao and Rs 41.35 lakh fixed deposits of Kamat’s, all of which adds up to Rs 1.20 crore; and eight apartments in Varca amounting to Rs 75 lakh as per the Registered Sale value in 2009 owned by Alemao.
“These properties were attached at the time of inquiry and now with an official nod from the Centre, these properties are confiscated for a period of 180 days under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002. It can remain with the ED for a longer period,” an official told Herald.
In the case of a conviction, the seized properties and assets will be handed over to the Centre, he added.
ED has investigated the financial trail of the proceeds of crime obtained by the alleged accused in the case.
Kamat, officials of Louis Berger, Nihon Suido, Consultants Company Ltd, Japan, NGS Consultants Company Ltd, Japan, Shah Technical Consultancy Company Ltd, India and other government officials and hawala operators have been quizzed ever since ED began the probe in 2015.
Kamat’s brother-in-law Gaurish Lawande had also come under the ED radar. In a joint raid with the Crime Branch, the ED conducted an extensive search at Kamat’s residence at Margao, Lawande’s bungalow at Campal and his office in Panjim, and the Altinho house belonging to Narhar Thakur, Kamat’s son’s father-in-law.
Former high level executive at the LB International James McClung and Alemao were amongst seven accused named in the Crime Branch chargesheet on September 28, 2015.
CB 482-page report before the special court charged the company, Alemao, McClung, former JICA Project Director Anand Wachasundar, LB India’s former vice president Satyakam Mohanty, alleged hawala operator Raichand Soni and MMC Chairperson Arthur D’Silva, under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 201 (destruction of evidence and giving false information) of Indian Penal Code and Sections 7, 8, 9 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The document named Kamat as ‘suspect’ and ‘main criminal conspirator’ while also charging him with accepting illegal gratification of Rs 1.95 crore cash from the US-based firm for JICA consultancy work.
The MLA has escaped arrest with CB’s application challenging his anticipatory plea pending in the SC till date. A supplementary chargesheet was filed against him in October 2016.
On July 21, 2015, CB had registered a first information report (FIR) against ‘some ministers’ in the Goa government in the year 2010 and the New Jersey-based construction management firm in JICA-funded water project.
