Case 1
Acquisition of properties in Kerala
Known as: Kerala land scam case
Main protagonist: Chandrakant Babu Kavalekar
Quepem MLA Chandrakant ‘Babu’ Kavalekar has found more trouble for himself with Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) saying that they are actively considering filing a FIR against the sitting MLA from Quepem constituency in the disproportionate assets case.
“We are convinced that a prima facie case of disproportionate assets is there against him. We are in the stage of registering an offence under relevant sections of the Indian law,” ACB SP Bosco George told Herald. Kavalekar is being investigated for amassing huge wealth allegedly through corrupt practices and investing about Rs 5.54 crore on 13 properties in Pathanamthitta, Kerala. Interestingly, he had not declared his Kerala properties in the 2012 Assembly election affidavit. Documents obtained from Kerala authorities have confirmed the properties are registered in his name.
Case 2
Alleged illegal allotment of GIDC plots
Known as: The GIDC plot scam
Main protagonist: Chandrakant Babu Kavalekar
The Quepem MLA is also under the scanner in another case of illegal allotment of land with the Anti-Corruption Branch investigating the alleged illegal allotment to seven SEZs in 2005.
He, along with former MD, A V Palekar and GM (engineering) J N P Chimulkar and 20-odd others have already been questioned in connection with the FIR registered in the case. Though Kavalekar was not named in the complaint, the illegal allotment done during the period when he was in the capacity as the chairman of GIDC has raised the finger of suspicion against him. Pratapsing Rane and Luizinho Faleiro have been also named in the list that is supposed to be investigated.
Case 3
Alleged illegal allotment of tenders for road works
Known as: PWD tender scam
Main protagonist: Churchill Alemao
Former PWD Minister Churchill Alemao is being investigated for multi-crore tender scam; a case registered by Crime Branch against him and retired PWD Executive Engineer P T Parkar.
The case, registered on December 30, 2013 took cognizance of a report submitted by ACB confirming they had prima facie cheated the govt to the tune of Rs 300-crore, approximately. The inquiry was based on a complaint filed by former NSUI president Sunil Kawthankar to the ACB alleging the former PWD minister and official cheated the government of the whopping amount by illegally awarding 258 tenders in XXV (roads) alone, each of which cost Rs 5 lakh or more.
ACB did not initially register a complaint, forcing Kawthankar to go to the Sessions Court which directed the ACB to conduct investigations. The ACB then submitted a preliminary report to the Crime Branch, affirming the complaint that tenders were allotted in order to grant the works to ‘favoured’ contractors. Parkar had reportedly admitted that he had done so with the written approval of Alemao.
Case 4
Illegal water tanks distribution
Known as: PWD water tank scam
Main protagonist: Churchill Alemao
Another FIR against Churchill Alemao is expected in near future as the ACB has nearly completed its preliminary inquiry into allegations on distribution of water storage tanks. ACB SP Bosco George has confirmed that preliminary inquiry, establishing Alemao’s involvement in the case, is nearly complete. Sunil Kawthankar had accused Alemao of the Rs 1.5 crore water tank scam; stating the tanks were distributed to people in his constituency without the existence of a proper scheme, guidelines or financial approval. There were charges that it did not have any Cabinet clearance or notification.
CASE 5
Land acquisition in Old Goa
Known as: Old Goa land scam
Main protagonist: Pandurang Madkaikar
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar during the recent Assembly session in July-August said that he would order a probe by ACB into the alleged land purchased by Congress MLA Pandurang Madkaikar in Old Goa. He said that this land had been earmarked by the then BJP govt (2004) for construction of police station.
A land admeasuring 9,475 sq mts, belonging to one Anant Sinai Dhume, which was approved for construction of police station in 2004, was now found to be belonging to the Madkaikar firm of building and construction, the CM had alleged that this was a clear cut misuse of land acquisition process for personal benefit and had directed ANC to probe the matter.
The ANC earlier last month asked Home Department to file formal complaint in the matter.
