PANJIM: The Leader of Opposition Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavlekar, who is being investigated for disproportionate assets, has played the caste card claiming that ‘forward caste politicians and bureaucrats’ are unable to digest that a person from Dhangar community is rich.
“This is the fourth raid on the same issue since 2013 year (when the inquiry began). More than political vendetta, it reflects the mind-set of forward caste politicians and bureaucrats. A person from Dhangar community owns a bungalow and properties is not easily digested,” he said.
He reiterated that he is prepared for the investigation and being a grassroots Dhangar, will not seek anticipatory bail.
He slammed the State government and the law enforcing agency for sidelining other serious criminal probes and putting the alleged corruption charge against him on top priority.
“It is for the government and ACB to decide its priority. For them, Babu Kavlekar seems to be top priority rather than the drug mafia which is ruining the youth of Goa. For the Lokayukta indicted beach scam ruling party politicians, the CM wants 90 days. I leave it for people of Goa to decide why Babu Kavlekar is hunted for over five year,” he commented.
The ACB on Saturday registered an FIR against him and his wife Savitri for amassing huge wealth disproportionate to their income. The FIR wherein Savitri is a co-accused stated that they allegedly amassed disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 4,78,58,471, which is around 59.21 per cent above their known source of income during the check period from January 2007 to April 2013. The Congress legislator has also to give a satisfactory explanation to the sleuths about another Rs 5.50 crore.
As per the inquiry report to the government, the duo are holding proprietorship/directorship/partnership in firms namely M/s Savitri Packing Products at Verna, M/s Vrushal Estate & Development Pvt Ltd, M/s Vrushal Hotels & Resorts Pvt Ltd and M/s Vrushal Enterprises; all three located at Verna Electronic City. The duo also holds ownership of M/s M K Enterprises, having its office at Dona Paula.
Interestingly, all their business activities were operated from single office in Margao, raising apprehensions among the investigation sleuths “if he has anything more to hide.” “We are investigating why all businesses had one office,” said a police source.
It is also alleged that his Hotel & Resort company had not issued balance sheet to Registrar of Company, for which Babu had also received notices.
Babu’s house and MLA office in Quepem and the commercial office at Margao was raided hours after registration of FIR.
