HIGH-PROFILE RACKET
* The land scam involved a number of government servants in senior posts and politicians* Files pertaining to the Serula comunidade land deals were later reported to have gone missing
* After a petition was filed in court, government appointed Kothawale to probe the matter
* As probe was on, Kothawale was transferred from the post of additional sec of home dept
* Investigation started by Crime Branch also revealed involvement of four gazetted officers
* Though no deadline set, Kothawale is expected to submit his report within the next few months
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PANAJI: Barely a day before the Congress alleged Rs 1,000 crore land scam in the Serula Comunidade and demanded the resignation of Revenue Minister Rohan Khaunte, the State government directed a senior officer to resume an inquiry into the Serula Comunidade land scam.
According to sources, the government directed Srinet Kothawale to resume investigations into the Serula Comunidade land scam, after he had halted the investigation following his transfer from the home department.
The letter was delivered to Kothawale on Wednesday and investigation into the land scam resumed immediately.
“Since the primary investigation had already been completed, a report on the final investigation will be presented in a few months,” said the source.
According to the source, primary investigations revealed that the Serula comunidade land plots was bought by a number of present and former government servants, including high-level personalities.
“The investigation started by Crime Branch had also revealed the involvement of four gazetted officers in the scam,” said the source.
As Kothawale's investigations were in progress, he was transferred from the post of additional secretary of home department and around the same time, many had objected to the government's probe into the scam.
Kothawle had reportedly requested the government to relieve him from investigation.
“However, the State government decided that Kothawale should complete the investigation and on Wednesday, handed over a letter to Kothawale directing him to resume the investigations,” said the source.
The land scam involved a number of government servants in senior posts and politicians having illegally purchased plots in Serula Communidade and files pertaining to the Serula comunidade land deals were later reported to have gone missing.
After a petition was filed in court, the government had appointed Kothawale in response to a high court order and had directed him to probe the matter.
Kothawale had been initially asked to submit his report within six months and while the government has not set any new deadline to Kothavale, he is expected to submit his report within the next few months.
In the Serula Comunidade land scam, the Crime Branch has sought permission to initiate action against four gazetted officers, who have been linked to various illegalities.
“The government has now reportedly informed the Crime Branch to prepare a report on the quantum of financial losses to the government due to irregularities by the officers,” the source added.
