Team Herald
PANJIM: Rejecting the pleas of former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, former Mines Secretary Pavan Kumar Sains and Mines Director Prasanna Acharya, the Goa Lokayukta, Justice P K Misra said that there are reasonable grounds to conduct a detailed investigation into the illegal second renewals of 88 iron ore mining leases in the State claiming that the renewals led to a loss of Rs 1,44,000 crore to the State exchequer.
The trio had pleaded that the Goa Foundation complaint against them be dismissed on various grounds. The order was passed under Section 12 of the Lokayukta Act and prepares the ground for a full investigation under Section 13 of the same Act.
“It is not necessary at this preliminary stage to decide finally the question of res judicata. Even assuming that the principal of res judicata is attached, in the present case, the complainant has sought for an investigation under Section 13 of the Act and prayed to recommend appropriate action against the acts of corruption and abuse of power by the respondents. As per the provisions of the Lokayukta Act after completion of investigation is substantiated, he shall communicate his findings and recommend competent authority,” the Lokayuta said.
Further the Lokayukta said that in the present case, the Supreme Court of India has not dealt with even remotely the question of initiation of investigation relating to commission of offence under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
“I do not consider that in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the present case it can be said at this stage that the present proceeding is barred by the principals of res judicata. At this stage, it cannot be predicted as to whether there is any substance that the allegations of abuse and misuse of powers and corruption by respondents are substantiated or not as such a conclusion would depend upon the detailed investigation,” the Lokayukta said.
Goa Foundation had filed a complaint before the Goa Lokayukta against Parsekar and two others, demanding an investigation into the illegal second renewals of 88 iron ore mining leases in the State claiming that the renewals led to a loss of Rs 1,44,000 crore to the State exchequer.
Goa Foundation director Claude Alvares said, “As both the former Chief Minister and the Mines Director have made allegations of being singled out, and the former Chief Minister has faulted the Goa Foundation for ignoring the role of Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister at the time that the renewals were initiated, Goa Foundation will now file an application to make Parrikar a respondent in the case as well. In the original complaint Parrikar was left out because of his obvious ill-health. However, his formal inclusion becomes inevitable in view of the affidavit filed by Parsekar.”
