PANJIM: The deposition of former Project Director of the JICA-funded project for which consultant Louis Berger’s rogue employees have allegedly paid bribes to former CM Digambar Kamat, could be potentially very damaging for the former chief minister. The deposition, in possession of Herald, clearly points to a demand made from the eventual bribe taker to the bribe giver. This is crucial for the prosecution in any bribery case
The sacked JICA project director Anand Wachasundar has claimed that Kamat never wanted former PWD minister Churchill Alemao to be the sole beneficiary of the bribe.
“During 2009-2011, on one occasion the then CM (Kamat) said to me that Churchill should not only get the benefits of the project and he being CM and Head of the State he has also got lot of political compulsion and has also to arrange for party funds,” reads Wachasundar’s confessional statement recorded before judicial magistrate, a copy of which is in possession of Herald.
The ‘suspect’ had also asked Wachasundar to pass along this information to the consultants of JICA project, which the later did so. The deposition, in two parts under Section 164 of CrPC, also mentions about witness Sanjay Jindal’s presence at CM’s official residence with a bag, allegedly containing the bribe money.
“… in between 2009-2011, when I was in the official residence of the then CM for attending official meeting, I saw Sanjay Jindal (ex-LB executive and prime witness in the case), who is the representative of LB (one of the consultants of the consortium of the project), in the waiting room, waiting for CM. Thereafter, I saw said Sanjay Jindal proceeding inside the CM room to meet him with one bag,” Wachasundar, currently in judicial custody, said.
Wachasundar further denied attending any of the two meetings at Kamat and Alemao’s residences while also claiming that he presumed the money exchange was in connection with party funds and football club.
“On both occasions i.e. occurred at the residence of the PWD minister and the then CM, I was not aware that whatever transpired in my presence was in relation to JICA project,” he said adding, “In so far as the incident occurred at the official residence of the PWD minister, I thought that it was with regards to his football club and in respect of the CM, I was under impression that is for party funds.”
Meanwhile, the High Court of Bombay at Goa’s single bench of Justice C V Bhadang will on Tuesday hear Crime Branch’s (CB) plea challenging the special court’s order granting Kamat anticipatory bail. The prosecution, on Monday, started the argument afresh after Justice K L Wadane recused himself from hearing the matter, last week.
These material evidence, public prosecutor S Rivonkar said was totally neglected by the special court as it went on wrong assumption to give benefit to the accused.
