PANJIM: Former Superintendent of Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Goa Police Priyanka Kashyap on Friday moved the Goa Lokayukta urging that Suo Motu proceedings initiated against her in the disproportionate assets case against Cumbarjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar be dropped.
Former Lokayukta Justice P K Misra in September last year had directed the ACB to register First Information Report against Madkaikar while observing that SP Kashyap had entirely failed in discharging her duty in accordance with law. Stating that appropriate punishment was required to be imposed on SP Priyanka Kashyap, the Lokayukta directed that Suo Motu proceedings be initiated against her for gross dereliction of duty.
Complainant Adv Aires Rodrigues on June 7, 2018 had filed a complaint with the Lokayukta alleging inaction of the ACB in probing the complaint filed by him against Madkaikar.
In her affidavit to the Lokayukta, SP Kashyap, who is now serving as Deputy Commissioner of East Delhi said that she had received orders from the CM along with Rodrigues’ complaint stating, “… the complaint is against the serving minister in the government, it would be appropriate and in the fitness of the things, if the investigation is carried out by an independent statutory body like Lokayukta in order to arrive at the truth. Accordingly, we may await the outcome of Lokayukta’s enquiry in the matter before taking any further action.”
In view of this decision, she said that further action by the ACB could not have been initiated and the FIR thus could not be lodged. As directed by the CM Goa, the ACB awaited the outcome of the inquiry which was already initiated by the Institution of Lokayukta.
“That there never was any intention on the part of the answering respondent (ACB) not to register the FIR on the basis of the complaint received from Aires Rodrigues. Rather directions were immediately sought from the CVO (Chief Vigilance Officer) through proper channel to register the FIR/start the preliminary enquiry in the matter,” reads an extract of her affidavit to Lokayukta.
“That the ACB was bound to obtain orders from the CVO as per the rules of business laid down as per various precedents because the complaint was not just against a public servant but who also happened to be a sitting minister for which governor is the appointing authority and is also the competent authority to grant prosecution sanction. It therefore cannot be termed as lapse on the part of the answering respondent for the due rules were followed by the ACB,” she further said seeking the proceedings against her be dropped.
