Secretary General knocks on doors of Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class to get FIR registered in controversial issue
MARGAO
Cycling Association of Goa Secretary General N. G Akhargekar’s pursuit to get to the root of the inflated National Games 2023 bills involving the office bearers of his own association officials has taken a new turn wherein the sports official knock on the court doors so as to get a First Information Report (FIR) registered in the controversial issue.
The Secretary General has now approached the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class at Mapusa with a Criminal Miscellaneous Application under the provision of Section 175 (3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 making State of Goa respondents in the matter.
In his application Akhargekar has mentioned that the failure of the Police Inspector, Mapusa Police Station in non-registration of complaint filed by the applicant on 1st August 2024 has forced him to file his present application before the JMFC.
"The Applicant afore-mentioned prefers the present Criminal Miscellaneous Application under the provision of Section 175 (3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 aggrieved by the failure of the Police Inspector of Mapusa Police Station to register FIR against Office bearers of the Goa Cycling Associations i.e., the President, Mr. Nitish Kerkar, Treasurer, Mr. Viplav Bhakta and Joint Secretary, Mr. Placid Fernandes for criminal misappropriation of funds of Cycling Association of Goa for offences punishable under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 based on the Complaint filed by the Applicant herein dated 01/08/2024.”
The appeal before the JMFC Mapusa has prayed that “This Hon’ble court be pleased to direct the Police Inspector, Mapusa Police Station, to register an F.I.R based upon the complaint made by the applicant herein dated 01/08/2024 under Section 316 (1), 316 (5), 318 (4), 324 (3), 336 (3), 344 read with Section 61 (2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and submit a final report before this Hon’ble Court after carrying out the Investigation in a time bound manner.
The appeal has also prayed for “Any other Order this Hon’ble Court may deem fit in facts and circumstances of the case.”
At the centre of controversy is the ‘Residential Camp’ held prior to the National Games 2023 which Akhargekar claims never took place, instead a Day-camp was held.
“Day-camp of 49 days was organized under the aegis of Cycling Association of Goa from 18th September 2023 to 07th November 2023. ONE TRAINING SESSION every-day from 6:30 am to 8:30 am where the participants reported at their own expense, without any refreshments/replenishments being provided to them by the Association,” the Secretary General has stated in his application.
The application before the JMFC Mapusa also states that “despite no residential camp being organized by the Cycling Association of Goa, fabricated and inflated invoices have been issued by various agencies, towards which payments have been authorized/disbursed by the Cycling Association.”
“It is known that a total amount of Rs. 14,14,920 (Rupees Fourteen lakhs Fourteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty Only) has been disbursed by the Cycling Association of Goa on the basis of the afore-mentioned invoices. It is stated that there being no residential camp held by the Cycling Association of India, there is no question of supplying any Food, Accommodation or Transport to any such sportspersons,” says the application.
The Cycling Association of Goa is the Apex Body of Cyclists and Cycling Enthusiasts in the state of Goa and is affiliated to the Cycling Federation of India and the Goa Olympic Association.
Time line of Cycling Association of Goa inflated bills saga
Day-camp of 49 days was organized under the aegis of Cycling Association of Goa from 18th September 2023 to 7th November 2023. One Training Session every-day from 6:30 am to 8:30 am where the participants reported at their own expense, without any refreshments/replenishments being provided to them by the Association.
July 2024, for the first time, through some reliable sources, some members of the Association were informed that various amounts were disbursed to different agencies on behalf of the Cycling Association of Goa, under the pretext of organizing a 45 days residential camp at Verna.
Bills were inflated and a whopping amount of over Rs. 14 Lacs was embezzled with active connivance of some office bearers of the Association.
Tax Invoices were apparently raised by three different agencies for providing food, travel and accommodation to 13 players and 4 officials of Cycling Association of Goa for a period of 45 days commencing from 11/09/2023 to 25/10/2023.
· Complaint file on 01/08/2024 addressed to the Police Inspector, Mapusa Police Station.
· Complaint filed on 05/09/2024 addressed to the Superintendent of Police, North- Goa
List of documents attached with application before JMFC Mapusa
Affidavits affirmed by the cyclists in support of the present application
Copy of tax invoices raised on behalf of C.F. Builders dated 15/10/2023
Copy of Tax invoice raised on behalf of Hirloskar Cateers dated 22/10/2023
Copy of Tax invoice raised on behalf of Media Solutions 365
Copy of Complaint Dated 01/08/2024 addressed to the Police Inspector, Mapusa Police Station.
Copy of Notice dated 05/09/2024 addressed to the Superintendent of Police, North- Goa
