Lokayukta issues notice to ex-joint Quepem mamlatdar
Kuttikar accused of fraud, forgery and manipulation
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The Goa Lokayukta has said it will conduct a detailed investigation into the deeds of Laxmikant Kuttikar, the ex-joint mamlatdar of Quepem and presently joint mamlatdar of Dharbandora based on a complaint filed by one Eugenio Afonso.
In his complaint, Afonso alleged that Kuttikar indulged in fraud, forgery and manipulation while disposing an application under the Goa Daman and Diu Mundkars (Protection from Eviction) Act, 1975, Afonso had filed before the mamlatdar.
It is Afonso’s case that for a period of four years, between 2012 and 2016 that Kuttikar was the presiding officer of the court and the matter was at the stage of final arguments.
“(Kuttikar) was not taking up matters most of the time on the pretext of being busy with other work and therefore the matters were adjourned most of the time,” he alleged in his complaint.
Further he alleged that Kuttikar forged notings in the Roznama dated June 30, 2016 with malafide intentions.
On June 30, 2016 the complainant, his advocate and his opponent was also present but the matter was not taken up and the case adjourned. “After marking the presence of the complainant, his advocate and the opponent signed the roznama wherein it was mentioned as: ‘case called out today, both parties present. Matter is adjourned and fixed on’,”Afonso said in his complaint.
When it was taken up on July 12, again it was adjourned as the mamlatdar had gone for some inspection and it was fixed on August 1.
Subsequently on August 1, the mamlatdar Kuttikar directly passed an order without seeking any clarification from either of the parties in the matter and dismissed Afonso’s application.
The complainant told the Lokayukta that despite the fact that the matter was fixed for clarification, without obtaining the same and clarifying issues involved directly passed the order to his detriment.
Afonso then inspected the roznama and was shocked to find that the mamlatdar Kuttikar “in connivance with his clerk” allegedly added the words “for order on” in the roznama dated June 30. When he and his advocate examined and signed the roznama there was no mention that the matter was fixed for orders.
Seized with the matter, the Lokayukta has called on Laxmikant Kuttikar to submit his comments on February 8, with any evidence to back himself failing which the investigation will proceed against him without any notice to him.
