PANJIM: In a major setback to the Mandrem MGP MLA Jit Arolkar, the High Court of Bombay at Goa on Wednesday dismissed his petition seeking quashing of the FIR filed against him in connection with 1,44,000 square metres land grabbing case at Dhargal stating that “it is not proper to scuttle the investigation at advance stage”.
The Division Bench comprising of Justice M S Sonak and Justice B P Deshpande while dismissing the petition said that the material brought on record shows that prima facie the matter needs thorough investigation by SIT.
The court also said that “only because the petitioner belongs to some political ideology, which is opposing the present government, it cannot be said that such acts which are going on since the year 2013 can be ignored on the specious premise of targeting the petitioner”.
The Division bench further told the Petitioner that once the investigation is complete and chargesheet is filed, he will have an opportunity to apply for discharge in case if material is not found sufficient to frame charges.
The FIR was lodged on the basis of a complaint filed by one Rawloo Khalap with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) accusing the MLA of being involved in land grab and creating over 200 plots in the property while illegally and fraudulently executing sale deeds with third parties and selling the entire property in connivance with Pernem Revenue officials.
