RAVI NAIK PRESSURED TO RESIGN BY BJP

PANJIM: In view of fresh information that absconding Israeli drug dealer Yaniv Benaim alias Atala might have escaped from India, the BJP has once again demanded resignation of the Home Minister, Ravi Naik alleging Atala’s escape was facilitated by Goa Police.

The BJP has also warned that if the Home Minister does not tender his resignation, they would follow other democratic means to press their demand.

Addressing a press conference on Monday here, the BJP spokesperson Rajendra Arlekar reiterated their earlier demand that the investigation into police-drug dealer nexus must be handed over to CBI.

Raising a question about the efficiency and sincerity of the Goa Police, the BJP spokesperson questioned the delay in issuing red corner notice and look out notice after Atala was reported absconding.

He said, red corner notice was issued seven days after Atala disappeared whereas look out notice was issued fifteen days later and in a way indicating that police are directly responsible for the escape of Israeli drug dealer.

Arlekar also alleged that Goa police have become inefficient and work under the patronage of their political bosses.

The BJP also criticised the Home Minister saying he has maligned the image of Goa and brought disrepute to the State by allegedly giving free hand to drug dealers.

On reports of threat to the life of his two sons, Ritish Naik and Roy Naik who have been provided with extra security, the BJP said it is an attempt by the Home Minister to divert attention of the people from alleged involvement of Roy Naik in police-drug nexus and, escape of Atala.

The revelation by the police that Michael Fernandes, key accused in recent case of robbery having confessed that he was offered supari to kill Home Minister’s son Roy Naik has been refuted by BJP saying it is a ploy by Home Minister to mislead people.

The BJP spokesperson also pointed out that proper investigation was not conducted of the accused and only proper investigation will reveal whether the claims about threat to the life of Home Minister’s son has any substance.

INDIAN NAVY WANTS TO GRAB TWO GOA’S ISLANDS FOR AIRPORT SAFETY

PANJIM: Two most beautiful and very popular with tourists islands of Goa, has been planned to be taken over by the Indian Navy due to the security threats to the nation according its officials who disclosed on Monday.

But the move has been opposed by the Tourism industry and the Goa government who has plans to set up an amusement park on the islands. Goa is very famous for its sandy beaches which attracts millions of tourists annually, with more than half of them being from Britain, Israel. Russia and other parts of Europe.

According to the Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai, a naval officer who is incharge of Goa’s coastline, the two islands Grande and Pequeno, were most important for the safety of the International Airport of Goa.

Both the islands are in the close vicinity of the runway of the Dabolim airport and could be a possible target of attack by the terrorists from the sea reiterated Admiral Pillai. Given the take over would mean the end of tourism on the two islands in the Arabian Sea.

Jose Philip D’Souza, the State Revenue Minister, said that state was just planning to set up the amusement park there when the Navy’s proposal came in. “We shall see what the Navy is trying to do, but will definitely oppose this move” said the Minister. It would be up to the Central government to give a final decision.

Mr Shantaram Naik, the MP said that if the islands were taken over by the navy, there would be negative effects on the tourism and the fishing within the surrounding area. Mauvin Godinho said that the navy might start an increase in the patrolling around the islands even without acquiring them.

The acquiring of the two islands by the navy is a big loss to Goa, its tourism and its inhabitants. The more effected would the fishing industry which is very active in that area.

BJP SECRETARY WRITES TO UNION HOME MINISTRY

PANJIM: BJP's national secretary and Goa desk in-charge Arti Mehra has said that she has written to the union home minister about the police-politician-drug-mafia nexus in the state.

"I have written to the union home minister about the bad image that Goa has got due to the negative incidents which are being reported,' Mehra told journalists here. "I have not named any politician in the letter, but it is evident who we are referring to. We have demanded a CBI inquiry, and their intervention is very much necessary. I have also briefed our leader (Nitin Gadkari) about this," she said.

It may be recalled that during her last media briefing in August, Mehra told journalists that the party would press for a CBI probe into the case at the national level. "The entire country has witnessed that the home minister's son is being accused of having a nexus with the drug mafia and being involved in a sexual assault case. The BJP is considering forming a pressure group in Delhito raise these issues at the central level," Mehra had said.

VANXIM FORMS ASSOCIATION TO FIGHT TOURISM RELATED PROJECTS

OLD GOA: In continuation with their opposition against the upcoming tourism-related project at Ilhas de Capao Island, residents of Capao-Vaxim on Sunday formed Ilhas de Vaxim Association, which will be headed by Margaret Silveira.

The Association has been formed to continue with their fight against parties who have proposed to set up tourism-related projects at Illhas de Capao Island by taking over the land of Vaxim Island.

The newly formed Association at the meeting on Sunday decided to move the High Court to fight against the parties, who are trying to take over the land. For that purpose, the Association has decided to raise funds appealing to the locals and others.

“If villagers want to start cultivating their fields once again, then I ask them to come out in large numbers on October 2 to cultivate some type of crop in their fields, which will send a signal that Vaxim villagers do not want their fields to go to those who are up in arms to grab it,” stated Margaret Silveira.

She further said there was no response from the Governor, as villagers had recently submitted a memorandum to him, raising objections over forced illegal displacement of villagers of Ilhas De Vanxim. “The newly formed Association will try to meet the Governor over the issue once again,” she added.

Goencho Xetkaracho Ekvott member Fr Bismark Fernandes said: “If the Church had sold this property, then it’s a mistake on the part of the church, as this land was given for the service of the church.”

“If this land had to be sold, then it should have not been sold for business purpose, but for setting up a hospital or a school,” said Fr Fernandes.

“If hotel project comes, then it will not only spoil Vaxim Island, but also Diwar, Chorao and other islands too,” he added.

The newly formed Association consists of Cosme Alphosnso (coordinator), Jose D’Mello (sports secretary), Jerry Fernandes (cultural secretary), Natalian D’Souza (vice president), Savoi Vaz (joint secretary), Joe Marshall (joint treasurer) and John Fernandes (treasurer).

Executive members elected are Bertha Marshal, Verodian Silveira, Zuzay D’Mello, Jelton Fernandes, Maryan D’Mello, Devidas along with members Mohan, Nityanand, Tecla, Simon, Reginaldo, Nelima, Devanand and Edgar.

Meanwhile, speaking on behalf of the owners, a representative through a press note stated that the facts are quite contrary to the claims being made by some, as it a fact that much before the Church assigned its ownership rights, most of the residents of Capao had already assigned their rights to cultivate fields to a builder from Mapusa in 1995-96.

“It is apparent that the Church had clearly divided and segregated all the properties, where residential houses are located to enable the residents to continue occupying them and all such properties continue to be owned by the Church,” states the press note.

“It is observed that there has been a continuous migration from this land due to lack of facilities or any avenues of employment locally. The current owners have been exploring various options to start some tourism-related recreational facilities by consulting the local residents and it has been our endeavour to see that the local people are made stakeholders in any such proposal,” adds the press note.

“The primary concern is to allow the land to retain its unique natural character while creating opportunities for employment or self-employment,” stated the press note.

“This clearly indicates that there is no intention to displace the residents of their houses and any attempts by few people to create fear in the minds of the local people is clearly a distortion of the truth,” says the press note. (HD)

SARDINHA PROMISES TO HELP RETIRED SEA FARERS

MARGAO: South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha has told retired seafarers on Sunday that the committee constituted by the National Welfare Board of Seafarers will soon submit its report on the hike in the monthly ex-gratia monetary assistance.

MP Francisco Sardinha

He told this to a large gathering of retired seafarers who called on him at his residence on Sunday to discuss the future course of action following their meeting with NUSI General Secretary Abdulgani Serang last week.

The MP produced a letter he received from Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan where the Minister has promised to take necessary action after receiving report of the committee constituted by the National Welfare Board of Seafarers.

In his letter, the Union Minister said that he had got the matter examined in detail, adding that the payment of the ex-gratia relief is made from the interest generated out of the corpus fund to the tune of Rs 1528.50 lakh. “The corpus fund is insufficient to meet the MEMA assistance to about 20,000 beneficiaries. The deficit under this head is about Rs 300 lakh on an average per year. Hence, the corpus itself is being utilised resulting in its depletion. It is expected that the scheme would run with the present quantum of assistance for another 3-4 years only”, the Union Minister said the Committee constituted by the National Welfare Board of Seafarers has been asked to review the scheme.

Saying that the demands of the retired seafarers are genuine, Sardinha told newsmen that the fight would continue till they get justice. “I have asked the retired seafarers to depute two persons to Delhi to call on the concerned officials. If necessary, NUSI General Secretary Abdulgani will also be called to Delhi to discuss the matter”, he said and exuded confidence that the genuine demands of the seafarers will be addressed soon.

Referring to the statement by PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao that he is fooling the seafarers that he could not fulfill his promise to legalise the bull fights, Sardinha said he did his best to get the bull fights legalised. “I tried my best to legalise the bull fights. The Bill came up for discussion and it got defeated”, he added.

On the Vailankani train, Sardinha said all the three MPs, besides Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat and CWC member Luizinho Faleiro can take credit for starting the direct train to Vailankani, but not certainly Churchill Alemao. “Alemao is saying that he had demanded the train when Laloo Prasad was the Railway Minister. Today, the railway minister is Mamta Bannerjee. Only the MPs, besides the CM and Faleiro can take credit for the train”, he asserted.

The president of the retired seafarers, Afron Dias thanked the South Goa MP for taking up their cause with the right people in Delhi. “The seafarers know in their heart who is working hard to get their grievances redressed. We stand by our demand for a monthly ex-gratia relief of Rs 5000”, Dias asserted. (HD)

‘GREATER GOA’ FIRMLY OPPOSED BY LUIZINHO FALEIRO

MARGAO: Firmly opposing any moves for a Greater Goa by merging Konkani speaking areas into the State, former Chief Minister, Luizinho Faleiro has said he doesn’t want the ghost of merger to come through the back door in Goa and asked all the champions of lost causes to stop misguiding Goans on the agenda for a Greater Goa.

‘The people of Goa will not like to lose their identity. We have already lost much of our identity. The agenda of the champion of lost causes for a Greater Goa will be like another step when some people launched a movement to merge Goa into Maharashtra saying Marathi is the language of Goans. At that time, the people fought for their identity and we would not like the champions of lost causes to again misguide Goans”, he said.

Faleiro was reacting to demands in some quarters, including PWD Minister, Churchill Alemao, for merger of Konkani speaking areas of Karwar to make Greater Goa.

Saying that Goa has got a unique identity, culture and a unique place on the map of India, Faleiro said “for historic reasons, Konkani loving people migrated to Karwar, Mangalore, and many parts of the world. That does not mean that all these areas should be merged with Goa”.

Asserting that he does not subscribe with the idea of Greater Goa, Faleiro said that he doesn’t want the ghost of the merger to come through the back door in Goa and spoil the peace and tranquility of Goans. Replying to a question on special category status for Goa, Faleiro said “We had made various wrong moves at the time of Liberation. I cannot talk of what has happened then as I was just 10 years old”.

Faleiro said it is not too late to ask for benefits from the Centre as are being enjoyed by other States. “As a CWC member incharge of some States which are enjoying special category status, there are lot of benefits they enjoy. These States enjoy 90 per cent grants and only 10 per cent loan. In the case of Goa, we receive 80 per cent loan and only 10 per cent grants”.

Replying to a question, Faleiro said that the people, who were demanding merger of Goa into Maharashtra, ought to have asked for special category status, adding that it is still not too late to ask for Central benefits for the State.

MOTHER-SON SUICIDE AT CHORAO: FIVE HELD

PANJIM: Old Goa police arrested five persons in connection with the death of 35-year-old Raghavi Wadekar and her minor child Manjunath, from Kerem-Chorao, informed the sub divisional police officer (SDPO), Mr Deu Banavalikar. The lady had allegedly torched herself and her child and died in her bedroom some days back.

Acting upon the complaint by the sub divisional magistrate, Tiswadi, Mr Shabaji Shetye, the police on Saturday morning arrested the husband of the deceased, Raghunath; her brother-in-law, Ramchandra; sister-in-law, Geeta Kalangutkar; mother-in-law and father-in-law on the charge of abetting Raghavi to commit suicide after torturing and harassing her for not complying with their demands, the Panaji SDPO stated.

An offence under Section 306 readwith 34 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) was registered against them. They were produced before court and six days police remand was obtained for further investigation.

Meanwhile, villagers led by the sarpanch, Mr Pandurang Bandodkar met the Home Minister, Mr Ravi Naik and urged him to investigate the matter thoroughly and to bring the culprits to book and also asked him to initiate action against another two persons for helping the Wadekar family in the crime. The Home Minister after giving a patient hearing stated that, if need be the case would be handed over to the crime branch for investigation.

Meanwhile it is learnt that Old Goa police have summoned some neighbours of the Wadekar family at the Old Goa police station today for a meeting.

NO TO ROAD ON MONTE HILLSAYS CURTORIM VILLAGERS

MARGAO: The Curtorim gram sabha held on Sunday, resolved to revoke the No Objection Certificate, issued to a private party for the proposed construction of a road from Alto-Dagualle to Monte Hill in Maina village, in the Curtorim panchayat area.

However, a section of the gram sabha members, led by Mr Simon Barretto, suggested that a committee be constituted, before the said certificate is revoked, which incidentally has been issued by the panchayat. The sarpanch, Mr Alsino Silva chaired the meet.

The gram sabha witnessed heated discussions with one section arguing that the proposed road would be against the interest of the public and the villagers, and that it would violate planning norms and legal provisions.

The villagers pointed that if the project went ahead, the road would come up on the steep side of St Jacob’s hill, also know as Monte Hill, and that there used to be a footpath that is no longer used. They further alleged that the only reason that this road is proposed is to encourage real estate projects in the area, which would involve hill cutting, and threatened to fight this issue to the end. The gram sabha members did not agree with the suggestion of Mr Barreto to have a committee to carry out an inspection, before seeking the revocation of the NOC.

The gram sabha members argued that if the project went ahead, then there would be a change in the land use on the extremely sensitive hill range of Curtorim and Maina villages, which they said would have disastrous effects on the fragile ecological balance of the area, adding further that this particular area is an integral and extremely sensitive hill range, which is home for leopards and a number of schedule I flora and fauna.

Some villagers pointed that the area is considered sacred to Our Lady of Milagres, and added that a road on such land would not be in the interest of the village.

In other business conducted at the gram sabha, the Ward Development Committee was formed with Mr Santan Rodrigues, zilla member, as convenor.

Villagers also suggested that a part of the fund received by the panchayat from the SAG and the department of sports, be utilised to develop sports facilities for the school students. The sarpanch agreed to do so, when the panchayat receives the next quota from the sports department.

Another issue that was hotly debated was the alleged illegal constructions, sprouting at various places in the village, particularly at a place called ‘Kargil.’ It was pointed that several migrants have been living in such areas without having any built dwellings without construction licences, and that a complaint was lodged in this regard with the panchayat. The president of a NGO called the ‘Curtorkarancho Ekvot’ Mr John D’Silva, said that an inspection of the said area was conducted and questioned why the complainant did not come for the inspection. He said sometimes such complaints are lodged only to harass the people.

One other issue discussed at the meeting was how to increase revenue for the panchayat, wherein Mr Santan Rodrigues, the zilla member gave some vital inputs. Out of the 11 elected representatives, only six panchas including the sarpanch were present at the gram sabha on Sunday. (NT)

SANTOSH ALDONCAR DECLARED BJP CANDIDATE FOR VALPOI

PANJIM: The Bharatiya Janata Party declared Mr Santosh Aldoncar, a long-time party worker from Valpoi representing Bahujan Samaj as its candidate, to contest the assembly by-election for the constituency, scheduled next month. Mr Haldankar is expected to file his nomination papers on Tuesday.

Coming out with this information on Sunday, the president of the state unit of the BJP, Mr Laxmikant Parseker said the by-poll would be a contest between the money power of the Congress candidate, Mr Vishwajeet Rane and the strength of the BJP workers.

“We would be fighting this election on the issues of corruption of the state government, lack of development in the Valpoi constituency, as well as illegal mining activities carried out in the Valpoi region,” he added, pointing out that the people of Valpoi must now decide as to whether they should elect Mr Rane and get the forested area in the constituency converted into illegal mining zone or vote for the BJP candidate.

The press briefing was also attended by the desk in-charge of the BJP for Goa, Ms Aarti Mehra, the leader of the Opposition, Mr Manohar Parrikar, the previous BJP MLA from Valpoi constituency, Mr Narahari Haldankar and Mr Santosh Haldankar.

Stating that Mr Rane has forced the by-election on the people of Valpoi through his resignation as an MLA, Mr Parsekar said the by-poll has brought the North Goa under the election code of conduct, thus hampering the development of the state during the period.

“Mr Rane’s act of resigning before the end of his term in the assembly also proves that he considers election as a child’s play and gives no respect to the electoral process,” he noted.

Mr Parsekar also said that by allowing Mr Rane to contest the Valpoi assembly by-poll, the Congress has changed its policy of not giving election tickets to more than one person in a family. “This is a clear indication that the next assembly election would have families contesting election on Congress tickets, and constituencies becoming political estates of select families,” he observed.

Ms Mehra, addressing the media said the Congress always believed in political legacy, wherein only members of certain families are allowed to contest election on the Congress tickets. “This tradition begins from the Gandhi-Nehru family and moves downwards,” Ms Mehra maintained, adding that such tradition has given way for over confidence, egoistic behaviour and dictatorial rule on the part of Congress politicians. “The people will see though this tradition and defeat Mr Rane at the Valpoi assembly by-poll,” she added.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Parrikar said that Mr Rane has created a false notion among public that he is developing his constituency and providing jobs to the youth. “However, all the developmental works in Valpoi, including construction of the Satrem bridge, are incomplete, and jobs have been given to around 300 youth from the constituency, while around 3,500 youth are still unemployed,” the opposition leader informed, noting that the jobs provided to the 300 youth mostly falls under D Class category, such as patient attendants, etc, and these youth spent most of the money in their transportation, for regularly commuting from Valpoi to Goa Medical College hospital or Hospicio Hospital.

Mr Santosh Haldankar told the pressmen that the people of Valpoi are aware about many of the illegal mines in the region being operated with the blessing of Mr Rane. “They are also unhappy with Mr Rane, as he is unavailable to them for at least half of the year,” the BJP candidate stated, pointing out that he is the resident of Valpoi, and would be always available to his voters, 24-hours a day.

ABSCONDING DRUG DEALER IS BACK AT HOME

Israeli drug dealer Yaniv Benaim alias Atala, who jumped bail in Goa in June, has returned to his country, according to popular Israeli news website http://www.ynet.com/.  Atala is one of the main cogs in the police-politician drug nexus, in which state home minister Ravi Naik's son Roy is linked, according to a witness in the drug mafia case.

The website, quoting friends of Atala, said he was last seen near his home in Rishon LeZion, a town located a few kilometres from capital Tel Aviv.

The report on the website also states that the drug dealer told a friend in his hometown that he entered Israel a few days after jumping bail. 'Indian authorities had reported in the last few weeks that Yaniv Ben Naaim was missing, but the Israeli drug dealer was in fact on his way to Israel and he now hides in Rishon Letzion, his home town,' www.ynet.com stated.

Atala, arrested six months ago in Goa for suspected drug trafficking, ran away three weeks ago from house arrest which he was sentenced by the court in India and since then his trails were lost, the Ynet.com says. The Israeli staying in Goa was caught on hidden camera by his former girlfriend Lucky Farmhouse while bragging about his links with the policemen.

He had claimed that the policemen were selling him drugs, which were seized in various raids, to push them back into the market. Atala was arrested in March after the video was uploaded on youtube.com.
Seven policemen, including Anti Narcotics Cell chief Ashish Shirodkar, were also arrested after Atala's confessions were aired by a local news channel in February this year.
Goa police spokesman Atmaram Deshpande reacting to the development said that he is not in a position to comment. Other senior police officers also refused to speak on the issue.
Police had issued red corner notice against Atala few weeks after his absence was noticed from the state. Police had claimed that it would be difficult for Atala to cross the country borders. - (PTI)

POLICE DRUG NEXUS CASE PROGRESSING OR DIGRESSING by Menino Fernandes

Where has the Police drug nexus gone? Gone with the wind or covered under blanket. Where are Ravi Naik’s professional Policemen who are investigating the case? The man who is investigating the case is as crooked as Naik himself. Apart from sabotaging the investigation Chandrakant Salgaoncar has done nothing more.

Police Drug Nexus

At the moment it looks like the case is in the drawers. A likely final report will be sent to the Court whereby all the accused will be acquitted. Atala has been done away with. Where has Atala gone? Has he too blown with the wind? Some say that Atala will never surface again any more? Who is involved with the disappearance of the Atala? Is it Ravi Naik or is it Chandrakant Salgaoncar? Or could it be that both of them are involved in this strange disappearance of Atala?



Atala

There can only be questioned asked without getting any answers. Mr. Manohar Parrikar in an interview with NIZ GOENKAR said that this is not a lapse but a deliberate act on the part of law and the politician. It looks like there is no follow up on the case. One of the top cops was supposed to visit Sweden to meet Lucky Farmhouse. Has the trip been put off? When all the evidence is on the table and the accused running scot free around what more evidence is required? Statements do not help.

The right step to get the case thoroughly investigated is to hand it over to the CBI or NIA. Why is the Chief Minister so unwilling to hand over the case to the central agency? Has he got any involvement in the case? Is he involved in this scam in anyway?

The story by the Home Minister, that DySP Chandrakant Salgaoncar is a professional investigator seems to be just an imagination on the part of Ravi Naik. Where are the other politicians sleeping? Instead of throwing out the single vote of Ravi Naik why do they support him in his anti-CBI drive? Is it true what Ravi said that the Politicians get HAFTE from the drug dealers? Why is Churchill Alemao silent on the issue? At one time the Home Minister said that Goa is free from drugs and now he says that it is nothing new that drugs operate in Goa. Why these two type of statements? Can Ravi Naik shed some light on the two type of statements. As far as the professionalism of your Police are concerned, Ravi, it can be seen through the outcome of the investigations by Chandrakant Salgaoncar and Sunita Sawant.

Can the government of Goa let the public of Goa know how far the investigation of the police drug nexus reached? The public is eager for some answers from you. Have you any answers? But before that declare before the public the progress made in the case. It is more than 3 months now that the progress of the case is become a hidden agenda. In conclusion of the article all I can say is GOD SAVE THE GOANS AND GOA!

DEAD MEN FLYING by Prashant Shankarnarayan

THIS ARTICLE IS AN EXERPT FROM THE INTERNET

The Author of the Article is Prashant Shankarnarayan

One fine day, you get an opportunity to leave for foreign shores, to earn a livelihood or maybe to simply roam around. You approach the concerned officials to prepare your passport. Therein lies the twist. Say the authorities, that you do not exist in this country.
Many Indians have already faced such a situation, especially while traveling to Portugal. The reason behind this human smuggling involves a bit of history, culture and legalities. This phenomenon of sending false candidates abroad to Portugal is rampant in Goa and Daman. An astonishing fact is that, rather than certain Goans, who have the right to stake a claim for Portuguese nationality, it is the Gujarati community that has capitalised on the legal loopholes, or can we say opportunities! To start with, let us take a peep into history.

On 18th December 1961, the Indian military annexed the then Portugese occupied areas of the Indian Union i.e. Goa, Daman and Diu. According to the Portugese legislation, any citizen of Goa, Daman and Diu, born in these territories before 18 December 1961 can apply for Portugese nationality.

The 1975 Portugese National Law also holds that, descendants of those born before 1961, until their third generation, can apply for a valid Portugese passport. This is because Portugese government concluded that, in 1961, Indian citizenship was imposed on the residents of those territories. Hence those nationals should be provided with an opportunity to obtain Portugese citizenship, if they declare their intention and register their births and deaths at Lisbon.

However, many non-eligible Indians took this rule as an opportunity to gatecrash into Portugal and then other European nations. These illegal entrants take the assistance of various agents or touts. This whole racket has become a flourishing industry in itself, so much so that these touts are advertising their services openly in Goa and Daman. However, the Goa consulate, as well as the Portugese officials prefer to keep mum about these activities. Even though the middlemen have a prominent role to play in such rackets, the role of the embassy and consulate officials cannot be ignored. However, such matters never come to light and this business continue to thrive.

Generally these criminals posses the TEORs of the residents of Goa, Daman and Diu. A TEOR is the birth certificate of a person, born during Portugese rule. These agents sold the TEORs to many Gujarat citizens, notable amongst them are the residents of Kheda Jilla, Nadiad, Dholka, Vaso and Anand.

It has also been observed that many Gujarat residents migrated to UK with the help of these fake certificates. Another shocking fact is that, these culprits obtained the details of dead Catholic citizens from graveyards and used them to fabricate documents. By the time the average Goa and Daman resident came to know about this scandal, many people had already moved to Europe under false names.

This scandal came to light when a certain Mr. Nazim Samsudin complained to the officials. Mr. Samsudin applied for Portugese nationality in the year 1998. He submitted all the required documents and details to the Portugese Consulate at Goa.

However, in January 2001, he received a letter from the officials, stating that someone else had already been registered under his name in the year 1986. Soon other citizens too complained of similar incidents and the police took up this matter seriously. However, in the fake certificate of Nazim Samsudin dated 7-3-86, a certain glitch can be spotted. The culprit, who has forged Samsudin’s signature has signed the certificate in Hindi (Devanagari script), but assuming a different name. Had this slip-up been spotted and reported then, maybe this racket could have been nipped in the bud.

This phenomenon exists in case of non-European nations too. Says Addl. CP, Mr. Parambir Singh, “A few years back I handled a case wherein a producer was smuggling people to Canada. Even though the main culprit died before we could arrest him, we managed to nab the agent.” The recent Daler Mehndi incident is a glaring example. Though he was acquitted, his brother stays booked for illegally transporting people under the guise of crew members. One can spot illegal immigrants selling wares near Eiffel Tower in Paris. They make a hasty exit as soon as the police arrives.

However, the advantage of Portugal is that it is a country that comes under the Schengen zone. If one obtains a Schengen visa, he/she can move around 15 countries within Europe, virtually without border checks. Generally these criminals are nabbed while escaping to the USA or UK.

The administration, in this case, is accused of pursuing this fake Portugal passport case at a snail’s pace. In fact, this whole scam is supposed to have been initiated by a Civil Registrar cum Sub Registrar, along with a few agents in the 1980s in order to curb the rights of the citizens. Since then, thousands of fake passports have been issued, thereby leaving average citizens in the lurch.

IS THE IGP AND HIS SON ABOVE THE LAW By Aires Rodrigues

Writing has never been easy for me. But as long as I can, I will continue to write openly and fearlessly about what I feel. While penning these lines I have to candidly admit that it pains me to speak about the former IGP of Goa. I have personally known him to be a gentlemen and who was kind enough to grace my 50th birthday earlier this year with his presence.

Being a lawyer myself I would hate to believe that the law is an ass. But sadly the sequence of events narrated below would make one believe so.

On the night of 4th December 2009, the 18 year old son of Goa’s now retired IGP, Mr. K.D.Singh, decided to go for a ride. Siddharth Singh chose not to ride his bicycle but instead got behind the wheel of the brand new Toyota INOVA GA 0039, which had been allotted to his Papa, the then IGP of Goa. He, along with his teen-aged friends hailing from Goa’s political and elite society, were driving towards Vasco late that night to be at a night club and that too in an official government vehicle designated for the Inspector General of Police, when their vehicle crashed, damaging two electricity poles.

Fortunately for the teens, there were no fatalities. The mangled remains of that vehicle which was bought by the Government on 29th April 2009 for around 10 lakh rupees, lies unattended at the Toyota showroom at Verna, a stark reminder of that fateful night.

What followed is evidence of the gross abuse of power and influence. Initially, there was an attempt to make Mr. Mahesh Kumar Sharma, the official driver of the IGP, the scapegoat, by implicating him for giving the keys of the official vehicle to Siddharth.

Rather than investigating how Siddharth Singh was driving his father’s official vehicle without authorization, attempts were made to cover up the evidence of the case.

The Police Sub Inspector who initially investigated the case got an out of turn promotion as Police Inspector within 20 days of that accident. The Departmental promotion committee of which IGP KD Singh was a member met on 23rd December 2009 and approved the promotion of PSI Jivba Dalvi and the promotion order was issued the same day. PSI Dalvi was promoted despite his very colourful and controversial record with the Goa Police.

After a shoddy probe which was obviously a mere cover up, the police sought the opinion of the Director of Prosecution Mrs. Shobha Dhumaskar on the issue. The opinion was sought on 18th February 2010 and was promptly ready on 22nd February.

The six page legal opinion makes interesting reading at the end of which she suggests that the IGP’s son should not be charge sheeted. While commenting that the police investigation is not up to mark yet the Director of Prosecution strangely does not suggest further investigation in the matter. Surprisingly the Director of Prosecution in her opinion says that despite the heavy damage to the vehicle, there was no evidence of rash and negligent driving and that it would be difficult to prove the case against Sidharth Singh.

Government vehicles are not insured. In the event of an accident the damages are recovered from the driver or officer responsible. In this case where the fault squarely lies with the now retired IGP and his son, no steps have been taken to recover the financial loss inflicted on the State exchequer.

The whole episode clearly indicates how the law is not upheld when it comes to sheltering the rich and powerful. The accident was a gross misuse of authority, which resulted in heavy financial loss to the government, should have been a matter of concern to the investigating authorities.

The law should have been allowed to take its own course with the former IGP KD Singh who has now retired in Goa. It would also act as a deterrent to the kith and kin of government officers and Ministers to misuse of official vehicles.

Allowing the former IGP and his son scot free is serious enough for the High Court to take suo motu cognizance of this flagrant flouting of the law. It is however for the Honourable Bombay High Court at Goa to take a call.

All said and done I am glad that growing up, I was not a son of a powerful officer or a power intoxicated politician. I am happy that I was just a son of an Aam Aadmi, who would have allowed the authorities to discipline me if the need arose. And so will I continue, never breaching the law even if I am tempted to do so. I will even remember to wear my seatbelt to teach my kids to respect the law. And a helmet too just in case the former IGP’s kid comes crashing down on me!

(the writer can be contacted on 9822684372 or airesrodrigues@yahoo.com)

309 PERSONS BOOKED UNDER SEC 506 (THREAT TO KILL) SINCE 2007

PANJIM: 309 persons were booked by the Goa Police under the controversial Sec 506 of Indian Penal Code (threat to kill) from 2007 to date.

Information furnished to Adv. Aires Rodrigues by the Goa police under the Right to Information Act has revealed that out of those booked only 176 were charge sheeted while 87 cases are still under investigation. The remaining cases have been closed.

The information provided to Adv. Rodrigues further reveals that the maximum no of cases numbering to 64 for the offence of threat to kill have been registered at Margao Police Station followed by 55 at Colva and 31 at Cuncolim.

Interestingly though the offence was cognizable the Goa Police in five cases registered the offence under 506 as non-cognisable.

It may be recalled that the offence was cognizable until A Division bench of the Bombay High Court at Goa comprising of Justice A.S. Oka and Justice F.M. Reis on 21st July this year while quashing the charge sheet against Goa’s Health Minister Mr. Vishwajit Rane held that an offence Sec 506 ( threat to kill) of Indian Penal Code was non-cognizable. The High Court order is being challenged before the Supreme Court by Adv. Aires Rodrigues through a Special Leave Petition.

Inspite of the High Court the Government has however not yet issued any orders to the Police or the Public Prosecutors on what should be done in matters pending in various courts under Sec 506.

Incidentally Sec 506 which was earlier non-cognisable was made cognizable by a notification issued by the Goa Government in 1973 when Mr. Pratapsingh Rane, father of Mr. Vishwajit Rane was the Law Minister.

However when section 506 was invoked against Health Minister Mr. Vishwajit Rane, the Goa Government suddenly took a stand that the section is non-cognizable. A controversial proposal was hurriedly moved on 30th June last year by Advocate General of Goa Mr. Subodh Kantak to instruct all Public Prosecutors to withdraw all cases filed by the police under Sec 506 of I.P.C as the section was non-cognizable.

NO CHARGES FILED AGAINST IGPs SON

PANJIM: The director of prosecution (DoP) has suggested to the police not to file chargesheet against the former IGP's son as there is no evidence of rash and negligent driving of vehicle by the accused.

Based on the DoP's report, police have not filed the chargesheet, thus ensuring that IGP KD Singh's (now retired) son Siddharth who got behind the wheels of his father's brand new Toyota Innova official car on December 4, 2009 and met with an accident goes scot-free. Vasco police had registered a case against Siddharth under section 279 and 337 of IPC.

When the Vasco police sought DoP Shobha Dhumaskar's opinion to know whether the case was fit for filing the chargesheet under Sections 279 and 337 of IPC, she opined, "I am of the opinion that there is no evidence of rash and negligent driving of vehicle by the accused and hence it will be difficult for the Prosecution to prove Section 279 IPC in the present case. Further, Section 337 IPC is invoked, when the hurt is caused in consequences of rash and negligent act by the accused, the Prosecution will not be able to prove the said charge in the absence of rash and negligent driving. Under above circumstance, I do not suggest filing of the chargesheet in the matter under Sections 279, 337 IPC."

"No charge-sheet has been filed in the case and the vehicle is yet to be repaired," a senior police official confirmed.

Exposing the loopholes in the investigation, the DoP has said in her report that the police have brought no evidence on record as to what speed the accused was driving the vehicle, the road being a national highway. Also DoP noted that "no investigation is seen to be carried out to find out whether there was any on-coming speedy truck proceeding from opposite direction as stated by the witnesses and if found correct, then in order to avoid major accident and to save the life of the occupants of the vehicle, the accused had no other alternative but to take the vehicle to his left and the said act cannot be termed as rash and negligent act".

The director of prosecution suggested to the police that they don't charge the son of a former IGP who was involved in a car crash as there's no evidence of rash and negligent driving.

DoP observed that in the present case if one goes through the scene of offence panchanama and the sketch, only what could be gathered is that the road at the accident place was 30 meters wide with a sharp ascending curve proceeding from Cortalim to Chicalim, which was a national highway – 17-A.

The information, which was given to social activist Aires Rodrigues under the Right to Information Act, further reveals that though the number and the make of the vehicle involved in the accident is not shown in the sketch, it was an Innova vehicle with registration number GA-07-G-0063 that was proceeding from Cortalim to Chicalim.

"With the above facts on record, if we examine the matter along with the provisions of law, it is seen that the said vehicle was on the left hand side which is the correct side of the driver while proceeding from Cortalim to Chicalim. However, the said car had gone to the extreme left and therefore the question that arises is whether the driver of the vehicle was rash and negligent in driving/ taking the car in the extreme left", DoP observed.

But DoP noted that from the statement of witnesses on record, there is nothing on record to show that the accused lost control or that he was rash or negligent in driving the vehicle at the time of accident.

"In the present case, the eye witnesses being the occupants of the vehicle met with an accident and who had gone along with the accused, being the friends of the accused, there is every possibility of their telling the story favourable to the accused and therefore it becomes necessary to examine, the other circumstantial evidence on the scene or medical report issued by the Doctor in respect of the examination of the accused", the DoP noted.

Also DoP observed that the scene of offence panchanama and the sketch though speaks of two poles, one damaged by the accident, there is nothing on record as to the age or the condition of the said poles prior to the accident or the damages sustained after the accident. "The same was essential to ascertain the impact of force with which the car was dashed", DoP noted.

DoP further observed that the accused, though was examined by the doctor, immediately after the accident, there is nothing on record to show that the said accused was under the influence of alcohol, which is one of the possibilities in such accidents.

"Merely because the vehicle has met with an accident and has suffered heavy damages does not mean that the accused was rash and negligent in driving," DoP added in her opinion submitted to the police early this year. (TOI)