AG SUBODH KANTAK’S 15 CRORE DEFAMATION CASE AGAINST AIRES ADJOURNED TO 28TH JULY

PANJIM: Panjim Civil Judge Senior Division Mrs. Kshama M. Joshi today adjourned to 28th July the 15 crore defamation case filed by Goa’s controversial Advocate General Mr. Subodh Kantak against Adv. Aires Rodrigues.

Advocate General Subodh Kantak has been today directed to file his Affidavit in evidence on July 28th after which his cross examination by Adv. Aires Rodrigues will begin.

Adv. Rodrigues is expected to cross examine Mr. Subodh Kantak extensively on his character, conduct and competence as the Advocate General of Goa.

Ironically though Advocate General Subodh Kantak has filed this defamation case against Adv. Rodrigues he has taken no steps to expedite the proceedings. Even today while Adv. Aires Rodrigues asked the Court for an early date, Adv. V.A. Lawande appearing for Advocate General Subodh Kantak sort a longer date.

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. One of the case from the JMFC’s court moved to the High Court and later to the Supreme Court which later came to be dismissed by the JMFC after Subodh Kantak failed to appear for the hearings.

In the present case pending before Judge Kshama Joshi, Advocate General of Goa Mr. Subodh Kantak has sought Rs 15 crores by way of compensation from Adv. Aires 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.

The Goa Government has paid Advocate General Mr. Subodh Kantak by way of fees and other allowances Rs 5 crores 13 lakhs 11,750 for the period from 14th Feb 2005 to May 2011.