A session court in Goa has directed the Goa Police to file an FIR to investigate the bribe charges raised by BJP leader and former Goa Transport Minister Pandurang Madakkar.
In March, Madakkar alleged that the minister in the BJP government was “was”Counting of busy money“And he paid a bribe of Rs 15-20 lakh to a private assistant of a minister to process a file. Later, Madakkar withdrew the charge.
However, a group of activists led by Kashinath Shetty filed a complaint with the anti-corruption branch of the Goa Police in March, demanding an inquiry into the matter. The complainants also demanded action against Madakkar if the investigation proved that he made a wrong statement.
He then filed an application in the court of Sessions Judge, North Goa, Tiswadi Merkes under Section 175 (3) of BNSS, demanding direction for an FIR. The police opposed the application.
In an order last week, the court directed the police inspector of the anti -corruption branch to “register an FIR and proceed according to the law”.
Shetty submitted to the court that after receiving the complaint, an FIR should be registered and an inquiry should be done by the investigating agency. The lawyer for the police said that an inquiry has been done and, “Since the crime has not been composed, the crime is not registered”.
However, the court noticed that Madakkar had a video of making allegations of corruption, which went viral, was “material to register an FIR”.
The story continues below this advertisement
Given that an FIR should be registered, the court said “whether the statements were made correctly or incorrectly decided after registration of the FIR”.
The court said, “The statements made by Pandurang Madakkar certainly show that a large amount is required to be paid as bribes to vacate the files. The applicants have alleged that the culprits should be booked under section 7 and under Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act,” the court said.
On March 4, Madakkar, who served as a minister in the cabinet led by Manohar Parrikar, told the media, “I will tell you very clearly, this is not corruption, it’s not loot. The robbery is running in Goa. The house and a message left that if someone comes to inquire about the file, tell me that I met my manager to meet my manager.
,
