Political past catches up with former ‘foes’, who are in same ‘family’ now

Team Herald

PANJIM: A piquant and politically awkward situation has arisen in Mormugao after the High Court of Bombay at Goa has pulled up the Crime Branch for not registering an FIR on the basis of a complaint filed by MLA Sankalp Amonkar against Milind Naik. Former minister Milind Naik is an alleged accused in a sex scandal case of 2021.

In December 2021, Amonkar had filed a complaint against the then minister Milind Naik for being allegedly involved in a sex scandal. Naik was then Social Welfare Minister in Pramod Sawant government and had to resign following allegations levelled against him. After nearly a year of investigation, the Crime Branch was likely to close the case after which the complainant approached the High Court, and filed a criminal writ petition, seeking necessary relief. The High Court has now asked the Crime Branch to submit what it plans to do with the complaint filed by Amonkar. 

It may be recalled that the High Court had recently refused to allow Amonkar from withdrawing his petition in the sex scandal matter. The Crime Branch has meanwhile revealed before the High Court that it will file a final report in the case — status of the investigation into the complaint as of date within next four weeks. 

The High Court also stated that the 14 respondents are at liberty to file replies to this petition, within three weeks from Monday.  The case will now be heard on March 13.