MARGAO: Margao police on Thursday registered an offence against city-based lawyer Adv Rajiv Gomes in an alleged case of dual citizenship based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Cuncolim, Santana Piedade Afonso, stating that the lawyer has registered his birth in Lisbon in the year 2010.
Margao police station in-charge PI CL Patil said that the FIR has been registered against Adv Gomes based on the complaint received from Santana. Asked whether the police has confirmed with the Presiding Authority in the Union Home Department whether the complaint lodged by Santana is true or false, PI Patil said the police has written to the Portuguese Consulate and other authorities to verify the contents in the complaint.
He said the police has rejected the application made by Adv Gomes not to take cognizance of Santana’s complaint on grounds that the Union Home Ministry’s circular has not been accepted by the High court in one case.
In his complaint, Santana had alleged that Adv Gomes has committed offense under the Citizenship Act, 1955 and under the various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of People’s Act.
He alleged that after the registration of his birth at Lisbon, Portugal, Adv Gomes has obtained various Portuguese citizens cards such as Bilhete de Identidade (Identity Card) and Cartao de Cidadao (Citizen card and a Portuguese passport).
