Team Herald
PANJIM: Crime Branch (CB) has dug into former chief minister Digambar Kamat’s alleged involvement in the multi-crore mining scam calling him a ‘habitual offender’ and alleged that he has ‘tarnished the image of India and Goa’ by his involvement in the Louis Berger bribery case. The statements have been made in CB’s submission before the District and Sessions Court opposing Kamat’s anticipatory bail plea and seeking his custodial interrogation.
“The accused applicant is also implicated in the mining scam by Shah Commission report and Public Accounts Committee for illegalities committed in the field of mining industry in Goa. This shows that he is a habitual offender involved in corrupt practices,” the prosecution led by special public prosecutor G D Kirtani said.
Kamat’s bail application will come up for argument on August 12, giving him a breather from imminent arrest in the case. The prosecution has categorically mentioned Kamat’s involvement in the bribery episode.
In what could leave the Congress legislator red-faced, CB has also mentioned that he has tarnished the image of India as well as the State by bringing dishonor through his alleged involvement in the Louis Berger bribery case.
Highlighting the missing JICA file, the CB has accused Kamat and former PWD minister Churchill Alemao of concealing the file for monetary benefits. “The motive of both former ministers in 2010 to keep on hold the file pertaining to the JICA project was to send the feeler to the concerned consortium the urge for monetary benefits for awarding the consultancy work,” a source said adding, “Thereafter Wachasundar conveyed the message to the consortium (Louis Berger) to fulfill the commitment made to the ministers and the bribe was paid to Kamat.”
Wachasundar has been accused of being a facilitator to ensure bribes were paid to the duo and was also a beneficiary himself. An internal inquiry by the company had revealed malpractices in Goa. The company admitted to paying USD 976,000 in the form of bribes to them. The witnesses’ statements of paying the bribe are corroborating, even as Alemao and Kamat failed to cooperate with the investigation.
“He (Kamat) has actively participated in conspiracy and was one of the beneficiaries of the transaction of payments of bribes but has been withholding with himself the same by not cooperating with the investigation,” the copy states.
The prosecution stated that there is every reason to believe Kamat criminally conspired with Alemao and Wachsundar for the bribe and played a role in the missing file. “We strongly suspect the original file pertaining to the allotment of consultancy contract is concealed/destroyed/manipulated. We need to recover it,” the prosecution said.
