Two former Goa CM’s names crop up in land-grabbing case

PANAJI: According to media reports, a senior Goa police official revealed that some of the accused arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), set up by the Goa government to probe the land grabbing cases, Friday mentioned the involvement and names of some local Goan politicians in the scam.

In a further development, police sources said that the names of two former Goa CMs and many other politicians affiliated to 4 political parties have come up in the matter, but refused to share the names, as the confessional statements or disclosure or names of other possible co-accused taken by arrested accused while in police custody have no relevance in law.

“We are investigating the names and leads given by the accused. Unless we find primary evidence that can stand scrutiny in court, we cannot arrest or interrogate the politicians involved,” an official told this reporter.

Speaking to media persons in Panaji, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Omvir Singh Bishnoi Friday said the investigating officer had recorded the confessional statement of the accused and the team is investigating the involvement of politicians.

“They (the accused) have named a few politicians. Before arresting anybody, I will not name them (politicians),” the IGP told media persons.

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The IGP said 15 accused have been arrested till date by the SIT, led by SP Nidhi Vasan.

Earlier, police sources had claimed that at least four to six senior politicians could be the brains and masterminds behind 25 to 40 per cent of the cases that have come to light.

Names of two lawyers – one of them a flamboyant lawyer-turned-politician, who have aided or helped the accused in preparation of fraudulent and fake documents had also cropped up in the investigation.

Bishnoi was quoted by PTI as saying, “most of the 95 cases are under the SIT’s scanner are in Anjuna, Assagao, Badem, Calangute, Mapusa, Nerul, Parra and Reis Magos in North Goa and some from Vasco and Margao in South Goa. “The cases are mostly from the coastal belt where the value of land is high.” (Read More Here)