PANAJI
The Congress has said it will move the court for contempt against the BJP State president and Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Tanavade for impeding action against illegal sand mining by government officials at Pernem and making derogatory remarks against the judiciary.
Congress vice president, Sunil Khawtankar, who released an audio clip purportedly of Tanavade’s voice over phone, charged him with deterring the government officials from destroying seized canoes involved in illegal sand mining at Pernem earlier this week.
Khawtankar also alleged that in his conversation with the government official on the phone, Tanavade also made derogatory statements against the courts, under whose direction the administration was supposed to take action against the illegal sand mining.
He alleged that Tanavade said that ‘court is not superior’.
Kawthankar said, the incident happened on Thursday in Pernem where a ‘demolition squad’ had gone to destroy canoes which were seized in a raid conducted on the direction of the High Court.
He added that the squad did not go ahead with their planned action due to the phone call the voice on which he alleged is that of Tanawade.
Kawthankar said a contempt petition will be filed and a verification of the audio sought.
The Congress leader said, sand mining is suspended since 2013 and those in this traditional business were sufferince since then.even as he accused the BJP government of failing to regularise the trade.
Khawtankar also alleged selective allowance of sand mining through haftas and corruption which has made the cost of sand beyond the reach of the common man.
“Who has stopped BJP from legalizing the sand mining. Why are they not doing it with the help of double engine,” Khawtankar asked.
