NAVELIM: A crucial order likely to be passed by the State Election Commissioner in a petition filed against Independent Navelim candidate Edwin (Cipru) Cardoso, regarding an alleged false affidavit sworn by him in the Zila Parishad elections, is likely to lead to a re-election in Navelim, if Cipru actually wins here.
Pradeep Verlekar who had contested against Cardoso the Zilla Panchayat elections had complained that Cardoso had obtained the caste certificate by swearing a false affidavit wherein he did not disclose his actual income.
He is likely to be disqualified as a Zilla Panchayat member as his election was based on false documents.
While the case before the scrutiny officer is scheduled for orders on February 8, the State Election Commissioner is likely to pronounce his order on February 8 or 9 a few days after the elections.
If either of the orders is against Cardoso then he cannot be declared elected to the Goa Legislative Assembly (if he wins from Navelim of course) as the law debars a person who is disqualified from contesting another election for six years.
Cardozo, in an affidavit sworn before the Panchayat of Navelim, had stated that his annual income is Rs 1.20 lakh so that he could get certified as a member of the Other Backward Community. However, Verlekar complained that Cipru’s annual income was around Rs 8 lakh and that he was not eligible for the caste certificate since he formed the creamy layer of the community.
The Crime Branch investigated his complaint by checking the income tax returns filed by Cardozo and it was established that he had made a false statement regarding his income and accordingly a case was registered against him under Sections 198, 199 and 200 of the Indian Penal Code by the Margao Town Police.
