basuri dessai
basuri@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: It is learnt that the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), that is probing the disproportionate assets allegedly acquired by Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, is zeroing in on the likely possibility that the loan amount of Rs 5.5 crore has been received through RTGS (real time gross settlement) in his company’s account.
Sources said that the amount from the three Mumbai-based companies had been transferred by RTGS and that some amount was also paid by Kavlekar as repayment to the companies. The sources said the transactions reflect in the bank statements that ACB has got.
Kavlekar had submitted that he had obtained a loan from Mumbai-based companies Akshit Exports of Rs 1,70,00,000, from Vibha Star of Rs 3,00,00,000 and from Prime Star of amount of Rs 80,00,000.
ACB is ascertaining the details of the three companies and has written to the Registrar of Societies of Maharashtra to verify the details of the companies named by Kavlekar claiming the loan of Rs 5.5 crore was obtained from them. A senior ACB officer had earlier said that during the inquiry it was revealed that all three companies do not currently exist. The branch is yet to receive a reply from the Registrar of Societies.
ACB has checked Kavlekar’s income and expenditure during the period between January 1, 2007 and April 30, 2013 and found Rs 7,20,27,439 likely savings. During the same period, ACB found Kavlekar acquired assets of worth Rs 11,98,85910.
After subtracting the likely savings, ACB found disproportionate assets worth Rs 4,78,58,471 which is 59.21 percent above their known source of income during period being checked.
Kavlekar was booked by ACB on September 15, 2017 in a disproportionate assets case after property worth crores of rupees was found in his possession. He was also facing a preliminary inquiry into the disproportionate assets cases since 2013 but the fresh FIR has been merged with it.
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Kavlekar skips summons citing Assembly preparations
Leader of the Opposition Chandrakant Kavlekar on Monday skipped the summons issued by ACB citing preparations for the upcoming Assembly session scheduled from February 19 to March 21.
He sent a letter to ACB stating that he cannot attend the questioning and sought time till the Assembly session ends. He also said there are many issues that have to be discussed at the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) meeting that are in the interest of the people of Goa.
An ACB officer said the agency has not yet decided whether to consider Kavlekar’s plea or summon him afresh.
