PANJIM: Former MLA Anil Salgaocar’s sons – Arjun and Sameer – were quizzed for nearly two hours on Monday in connection with illegal mining and ore extraction involving S Kantilal & Pvt Co Ltd. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has called for documents supporting their statement, even as they are likely to be summoned again in the next few days.
The duo walked into the SIT office at Dona Paula at about 11 am and left at 1 pm. Each was grilled for one hour with Investigating Officer PI Rahul Parab ensuring that both were questioned separately.
“The two brothers have given their statements but to verify their claims, the investigation team has asked for related documents which they will have to submit at their second round of questioning,” an officer said.
Their deposition was incidentally on the day their anticipatory bail applications came up before the special court for hearing. The matter was, however, adjourned for Thursday with the prosecution seeking time to file their submission.
Meanwhile, the anticipatory bail application filed by senior NCP leader and mine owner Dr Prafulla Hede, in another mining-related offence, will be heard on September 10. He denied in a chat with Herald that operations at his Collem mine were illegal, claiming they were conducted based on a Ministry of Mines and Steel order, issued in 1992. The mine owner underwent a major emergency brain surgery even as he assured to co-operate with the ongoing investigation. “There is nothing to hide,” he said.
