MARGAO
Around two decades after the FIR was registered by the CID, Crime Branch, the trial in the infamous Power rebate scam allegedly involving former Power Minister Mauvin Godinho and others commenced at the South Goa Sessions Court on Tuesday.
The prosecution examined one witness in support of its case before Additional Sessions Judge Vincent D’Silva on Tuesday. The next day of the hearing was adjourned to April 19.
Sources in the know informed that the prosecution has cited around 100 witnesses in support of its case, including volumes of documents.
Former Power Minister Godinho, who had moved an application seeking exemption from appearance in the hearing, was granted by the court.
Additional Sessions Judge, Vincent D’Silva, who is the designated Judge to try corruption cases against politicians, had cleared the decks for the trial of the sensational case at the last date of the hearing.
Former Power Minister Mauvin Godinho and six other persons, including former Chief Electrical Engineer, besides the two companies, have been named in the FIR lodged by the CID, Crime Branch.
Charges have already been framed against the accused persons under Section 409, 420, 465, 468, 471 read with section 120-B of the IPC, besides section 13(1)(d)(1), 13(1)(d)(ii) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Godinho has been granted exemption from appearance in court.
The designated court trying corruption cases has been told by the High Court to expedite and conclude the trial within a year.
Former Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar had exposed the alleged power rebate scam, which later culminated in the registration of an FIR by the CID-Crime branch against Godinho, who was the Power Minister in the then Congress government.
