Vithaldas hegde
vhegde3@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Former Transport Minister Pandurang Madkaikar’s sensational claim that he had paid Rs 15-20 lakh to a minister to get a job done may have raised the stink of corruption within the government, but it also points a finger back at him. Under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the person giving a bribe – which is Madkaikar, in this case – is as culpable as the bribe-taker (the unnamed minister, as claimed by the former MLA).
Based on this, it is clear that the Goa Police have the power to take suo motu cognisance of the statement made by Madkaikar and start an inquiry.
There are multiple questions waiting to be asked: who is the minister Madkaikar coughed up the money to? Why did he not go to the police or the Lokayukta when the bribe demand was made? Did he pay the claimed amount by cheque or in hard cash, and if it’s the latter, where did he get so much of currency?
Keeping in mind the sensational nature of the claim, the Goa Police would do well to start a case and probe the matter that has kept political circles in the State on the boil for the past few days, according to senior lawyers that O Heraldo spoke with.