Team Herald
PANJIM: Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Thursday said he would not interfere in the investigations involving his brother-in-law and another officer, both attached to Industries Development Corporation (IDC), and arrested by Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) for accepting a bribe on Wednesday evening.
Field Managers Dilip Malvankar and Ajit Gaunekar had demanded a bribe from Sanjay Kumawat, who had applied for an industrial plot to set up a unit for manufacturing ayurvedic medicines.
IDC has suspended both the officers and has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the duo. Both the accused were produced before the local court, which remanded them in police custody for interrogation.
Addressing media persons, Parsekar said he would not interfere in the investigation and has given the ACB a free hand. “Law will take its own course. I will not interfere in the case, whether he is my relative, my close friend or my associate, the law is equal for all. I have given full freedom to officers,” he said.
“I would not like to interfere in any investigation of the law enforcement agencies,” he added.
Parsekar said that when it comes to administration versus his relatives or close friends, he would prioritize administration. “I take pride in running my government on zero tolerance to corruption, my government is a transparent government,” he said.
“Even my relatives and well wishers are bound by the law. In fact my relatives and well wishers should be more careful,” he said adding, that the action against those involved in the bribery case will continue even in the future.
Parsekar said that on Wednesday night ACB raided the residences of both the officers. “This act is a clear signal to all such officers who indulge in corruption,” he said.
