AG SUBODH KANTAK’S CASE AGAINST AIRES ADJOURNED TO 16TH JUNE

PANJIM: Panjim Civil Judge Senior Division Mrs. Kshama M. Joshi today adjourned to 16th June at 10 am the 15 crore defamation case filed by Goa’s controversial Advocate General Mr. Subodh Kantak against Adv.Aires Rodrigues Adv. Aires Rodrigues today requested Judge Kshama Joshi to recuse from hearing the matter as her husband Adv. M.S.Joshi who is a practicing lawyer in Panjim is also a government advocate and a close friend of Advocate General Mr. Subodh Kantak.

When Judge Joshi asked Adv. Rodrigues to make a written request to that effect, Adv. Rodrigues submitted that he would expect Judge Joshi to suo-motu recuse herself from hearing the matter inview of the proximity of her husband to the Advocate General of Goa.

After Adv. Aires Rodrigues highlighted the exorbitant fees being paid to the Advocate General of Goa, Mr. Subodh Kantak initiated two defamation proceedings against Adv. Rodrigues which from the JMFC’s court moved to the High Court and later to the Supreme Court. One defamation case filed by Subodh Kantak against Adv. Aires Rodrigues was dismissed by the JMFC after Subodh Kantak absconded from appearing for the hearings.

Advocate General of Goa, Mr. Subodh Kantak has sought Rs 15 crores by way of compensation from Adv. Rodrigues and has vowed to use the money for charitable causes like old age homes, orphanages and towards the welfare of animals.

Mr. Subodh Kantak who had been accused by Adv. Aires Rodrigues of being the country’s highest paid Advocate General has had to face perhaps the longest cross examination ever with Adv. Rodrigues intensely quizzing Mr. Subodh Kantak on his character, conduct and competency as Advocate General of Goa. Adv. Rodrigues cross examined Advocate General Subodh Kantak for over 26 hours.