PANJIM: In a major setback to Crime Branch (CB) that could delay the trial in the Louis Berger bribery scandal, Goa government-appointed special public prosecutor Rajeev Gomes has withdrawn from the case. His resignation comes over eight months after the first SPP G D Kirtani had opted out of the case.
The advocate, in a letter to CB stated that since a case of Portuguese nationality against him has been transferred to CB, it was not professionally ethical to continue representing the latter.
“It has been brought to my notice yesterday (Wednesday) that crime no. 31/16 of Margao Town Police Station – registered against me on a false allegation of having acquired Portuguese nationality – has been transferred to the CB for investigation,” he said.
“I have always demanded that a fair, just and expeditious investigation be carried out in the said case so that truth surfaces at the earliest. Hence, pending investigation, in conformity to the ethical standards of my profession, and in order to facilitate a fair and just investigation, as well as to dispel any element of suspicion in the investigation due to my status as SPP of CB, I find it desirable that I immediately withdraw my appearance as SPP in crime no. 93/15 of CB PS/special case no. 6/2015 – State v Churchill Alemao and ors,” the letter states.
The counsel, who recently appeared in the case involving pop singer Remo Fernandes’ son and his alleged involvement in a hit and run case, has also returned the copies of the chargesheet and LB case-related documents to the CB.
The CB had earlier seen SPP G D Kirtani resigning from appearing in the case citing ‘unwarranted’ media criticism of his competence.
“Certain developments have taken place, without my consent, which led to unwarranted criticism of my competency in a section of press, as also in social media,” Kirtani had stated in his resignation letter addressed to Under Secretary (Home) Neetal Amonkar. He had tendered his resignation on August 15, 2015.
With the two resignations, CB does not have any legal representative even as government sources said, they are in the process of appointing a new lawyer.
