NT NETWORK
PANAJI
The Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Directorate of Vigilance has summoned former minister and then chairman of the Goa Housing Board Nilkanth Halarnkar and the then managing director as well as joint secretary, Goa Housing Board, Elvis Gomes in connection with alleged Goa Housing Board scam.
Halarnkar and Gomes are accused in the case and will be subjected to a series of questions pertaining to the case, informed ACB officials.
Gomes, former senior officer of Goa Civil Services, opted for voluntary retirement a couple of months back and is now the Aam Aadmi Party’s Goa chief ministerial candidate. Gomes has been asked to appear before the investigating officer, ACB, Altinho on December 26 morning while Halankar has been asked to appear in the afternoon. According to sources, former revenue minister Jose Philip D’Souza has also been asked to appear before the ACB, as a witness, on December 27 in connection with the case.
The case is pertaining to alleged corruption and malpractices in Goa Housing Board, especially pertaining to dropping land acquisition. The period in question is between 2007 and 2012. Land admeasuring 30,256 square metres in Margao was identified for implementation of housing scheme. However, the process for land acquisition was allegedly scrapped without following the proper procedure.
A complaint was lodged in February, this year by an individual. After the preliminary inquiry, an FIR was registered in May, this year under Section 420-IPC (cheating), 120-B IPC (criminal conspiracy) and under Prevention of Corruption Act. So far, the ACB has recorded statements of a number of persons and more evidence is being collected in connection with the case.
According to a senior ACB official, “There is sufficient evidence in the form of handwriting as well as signatures (on the file) of Gomes, who was holding the positions.”