Samples of accused Prakash Kandolkar to be sent for forensic analysis
The North Goa Principal District and Sessions Court has granted permission to the Goa Police’s Economic Offences Cell (EOC) to obtain specimen signatures and handwriting samples of accused Prakash Kandolkar in connection with the alleged Rs 11.28 crore scam involving Ashtagandha Urban Credit Co-operative Society Ltd.
Allowing the plea filed by PSI Paresh Ramnathkar, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Merces, on Thursday observed that the move was necessary “in the interest of justice and to facilitate the investigation”.
The investigating officer had sought the court’s permission to collect the samples as part of the ongoing probe. The officer informed the court that several loan files and documents seized during the investigation reportedly carried the signatures and handwriting of the accused and others linked to the case.
These documents will be sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) for examination.
The case relates to alleged large-scale financial irregularities and misappropriation within the co-operative society involving former board members and senior officials.
According to the EOC, the accused, including former directors and chief executive officers, allegedly worked together to issue fake loans using forged documents, carry out unauthorised financial transactions, and illegally transfer society funds to personal accounts.
The complaint was filed on December 26, 2024, by Mangesh Phadte, Chairman of the Committee of Administrators appointed by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies for the society based in Pirna, Bardez.
The FIR was registered under sections related to criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery and conspiracy, along with provisions of the Goa Protection of Interest of Depositors (In Financial Establishments) Act, 1999.
Kandolkar was arrested on May 19, 2026, and is currently in police custody. Four other accused — Prakash Naik, Krishna Halarnkar, Prakash Vithal Naik and Prakash Anant Naik — were earlier arrested and later released on bail.
The EOC also informed the court that efforts were underway to trace two other accused persons, Digamber Parab and Mohandas Dessai.
