Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar in the dock, unlikely to get respite from HC in land grabbing case

PANAJI: Going by past judgements and case law in similar cases, in what could be a major blow for Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar, his plea in the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court for quashing of the FIR against him in a land-grabbing case, could be possibly rejected.

For now, a Division Bench of the HC comprising Justice MS Sonak and Justice BP Deshpande after hearing final arguments, reserved their judgment in the case.

Goan activist-advocate Aires Rodrigues had filed a complaint on behalf of one Rawloo Khalap at the office of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch, Goa, with details of the alleged offence by the Mandrem MLA.

Jit Arolkar was elected on a MGP ticket from the Mandrem constituency and later on extended his support to the State government with the hope of getting a portfolio or chairmanship of some State-owned corporation. He was later appointed Chairman of the Goa Housing Board.

Rodrigues in his complaint alleged that Arolkar grabbed land and created over 200 plots in the property while illegally and fraudulently executing sale deeds with third parties and buyers, selling the entire property in connivance with Pernem Revenue officials.

With funds allegedly generated through land scams Arolkar is said to have funded and constructed tarred roads connecting the village road and electricity poles were installed privately along these roads, while no action was taken by the concerned authorities.

The complaint also alleges that plots were created by the accused in an adjacent property belonging to an elderly widow – Mrs Shetye and sold to various parties by executing similar fake sale deeds.

On another front, the Justice VK Jadhav Commission of Inquiry appointed by the Goa Government to probe land grabbing in Goa will hear a complaint against the Mandrem MLA for grabbing land admeasuring 1,48,800.00 sq. mtrs situated at Village Dhargal in Pernem taluka of which the Mapusa-based Rawloo Khalap is a co-owner.