the goan I network
MARGAO
Demanding that the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) initiate investigations into the mining leases as per the recommendation of the Lokayukta, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) Chief Girish Chodankar said the CBI should also rope in Chief Minister Pramod Sawant into the ambit of investigations in the case.
He also demanded that all the officials indicted by the Lokayukta should be placed under suspension pending further investigations.
Addressing the media, Chodankar said the Congress party will forward a copy of the Lokayukta within eight days, adding that the Congress will take future course of action in the event the CBI is found dragging its feet in investigating the case.
“Former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has commented that he had acted on pressure from various persons, including former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and present Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in setting in motion the process to grant the mining leases. In the fitness of things, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should also be interrogated in the case,” Chodankar demanded.
The GPCC Chief took potshots at IPS Officer Karthik Kashyap for having closed the cases on grounds there was no prima facie evidence in the case. “It is now evident that Kashyap succumbed to pressure from politicians and ought to be punished,” he said, adding that the observation made by the Lokayukta that Goa’s investigation agencies lack credibility is a matter of serious concern.
“We welcome the recommendations made by the Lokayukta. There should be an FIR as per the recommendations,” he added.
