MAPUSA
In a dramatic twist to Goa’s land grab case, accused Suleman Siddique Khan’s startling allegations against Deputy Speaker and Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza have left the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) facing uncomfortable questions, with both the party and the Deputy Speaker maintaining silence on the matter.
Khan, who escaped from police custody last week had released a video on Sunday night accusing D’Souza of allegedly pressuring him to transfer properties to an individual of the MLA’s choosing.
The alleged properties, according to Khan, were lawfully purchased by him using his hard-earned money, despite the alleged claims by the Deputy Speaker that the properties were originally bought by his father, former MLA Francis D’Souza.
Adding fuel to the controversy, Khan also accused senior police officials, including Crime Branch SP Rahul Gupta, of physically assaulting and threatening him during his interrogation.
Khan alleged that the Deputy Speaker was present in the SP’s office during the interrogation, adding further weight to his claims.
While the authenticity of the video remains unverified, the silence from the BJP leadership especially on allegations against the deputy speaker has drawn criticism.
The Goan attempted to reach Joshua D’Souza, but his phone remained switched off, reportedly since his wedding three days ago.
BJP Vice President Glen Ticlo and spokesman Atish Naik also declined to comment, citing personal commitments and lack of information about the viral video.
While Ticlo explained that he had been attending a family function for the past two days and was unaware of the viral video featuring Siddique, Naik stated that he had been too busy to watch the video and therefore could not comment on it.
Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar dismissed the allegations, claiming they were an attempt by the accused to divert attention from the ongoing efforts to apprehend him.
Siddique Khan was arrested by Goa Police on November 12 for his alleged involvement in a series of land grabs but escaped custody on Thursday evening.
Critics argue that the BJP’s silence on the issue, especially given its governance role, raises serious questions about accountability and transparency.
The absence of a response from Deputy Speaker D’Souza and the BJP leadership has only fuelled speculation about the allegations.
The incident has sparked outrage in political and public circles, with demands for an independent inquiry into the claims made by Khan.
As the situation unfolds, the ruling party may find it increasingly difficult to sidestep the mounting pressure to address the allegations against one of its prominent members.
