PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has issued notices to activist Kashinath Shetye and others in connection with a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Goa Police, challenging the lower court’s directive to register a First Information Report (FIR) into bribery allegations made by former minister Pandurang Madkaikar.
In its criminal revision application, the ACB sought to quash and set aside the North Goa Principal District and Sessions Court’s order dated June 9, 2025, directing the agency to register an FIR based on Madkaikar’s public statement. The High Court will now hear the matter on July 1.
The trial court’s directive came after a group of citizen activists approached the court, challenging the ACB’s decision to close the inquiry citing Madkaikar’s retraction. The former minister had later claimed that his remarks referred to a penalty payment and not a bribe.
According to the complaint lodged with the ACB in March, Madkaikar had publicly stated that he had to pay Rs 15-20 lakh to get his files cleared. “If it is found that the statement made by Madkaikar is false, then action should be taken and he should be made accountable for misleading the public and defaming the institution,” the complaint said.
Judge Irshad Agha, after hearing both parties, held that the video of Madkaikar’s statement -- widely circulated on social media -- was sufficient to warrant the registration of an FIR.
The court further observed that no detailed inquiry was necessary, as the viral video itself constituted adequate material for a preliminary inquiry.
