TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The high profile investigation into disproportionate assets case involving Congress legislator and former Chairman of GIDC Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavlekar has come to a grinding halt in the absence of its investigating officer.
The police inspector, who was the head of the investigation team, was transferred from the anti corruption branch (ACB) to a police station in the North Goa district on October 22 and since then, the probe has not progressed further.
ACB SP Bosco George, when contacted, conceded that the investigation has been on hold for now, following the transfer of the officer in-charge of the case. “We have written to police headquarters requesting to depute an officer exclusively for investigating this case. We are hopeful to get an officer soon,” George told Herald.
The other team members cannot continue with the investigation because they have no authority to this effect. “They are subordinates. If any document needs to be sent to higher-ups or other agencies, they are not authorised to process or even sign those papers. It is only the investigating officer who holds such powers,” an officer from Police Head Quarters said.
The ACB in April had charged Kavlekar with amassing wealth to over Rs Five and half crores while he served as GIDC Chairman from 2005-12 and is alleged to have invested in land/properties in Kerala. The case was booked based on information received from the Joint Chief Electoral Officer in Goa.
All the land related documents, which were sent for translation into English, have not been received. “They have been translated partially…” said another officer.
