PANAJI
As the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Goa police has begun a preliminary inquiry into explosive bribery allegations made by former minister Pandurang Madkaikar, he is likely to be summoned for questioning in the coming days.
Sources revealed to The Goan that Madkaikar’s statement will be crucial in determining whether an offense can be registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The team is also examining the viral video footage where the BJP leader allegedly admitted to paying Rs 15-20 lakh to a minister for clearing files.
“We need to establish who received the money, who was the minister that Madkaikar claimed was forced to pay the bribe, under what circumstances... The inquiry is exhaustive but on the fast track. If the evidence supports the allegations, an FIR will follow,” a senior official said, stating that ACB is directed to send a notice for his appearance soon.
Statements of seven complainants who approached the ACB with a formal complaint based on Madkaikar’s public remarks are also expected to be recorded soon. Kashinath Shetye, Inacio Domnic Pereira, Ramchandra Manjrekar, John Francis Nazareth, Premendra Vernekar, Mariano Ferrao and Krishna Pandit have further urged the department to expose government officials involved in the alleged bribery scandal.
The complaint submitted to the ACB on Thursday -- copy of which is in possession of The Goan -- stressed that corruption is crippling governance.
“Strict and swift action is needed. Corruption undermines democracy, hampers development, and erodes public trust,” it read.
Madkaikar’s remarks that “they are busy counting money” fuelled allegations of a deep-rooted corruption racket with the Opposition demanding an investigation.
“Nothing is moving. All ministers are busy counting money. Nothing is happening in Goa,” Madkaikar was heard saying in a video, where he admitted that he last paid a bribe for “a small work.” He further claimed how a minister’s assistant demanded Rs 15-20 lakh before clearing a file. Madkaikar hinted that he would name the minister once he quits the party.
“He (the concerned minister) kept it (file) at home and left a message that if someone comes to collect this file, tell him to come and meet him. I sent my manager to meet the minister, who told him to meet his assistant. The assistant demanded Rs 15-20 lakh. The money was paid last week. It was a routine work,” the former minister reportedly said this week.
