PANAJI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) probing the alleged money laundering case against officials of Goa Cricket Association (GCA) has questioned Rahul Johri, the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Johri appeared before the ED officials at its office at Patto-Panaji where he was questioned for a couple of hours. Sources said that Johri has provided the information sought by ED officials pertaining to funds disbursed to GCA especially during the year 2006-07.
Enforcement Directorate has already questioned the then and also the current GCA officials in connection with the case and more officials are likely to be called for further questioning. Sources said that Johri was earlier called by the ED. However, owing to his prior appointments, he had claimed his inability to appear before the ED.
The ED had registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against the Goa Cricket Association officials Chetan Desai, Vinod Phadke and Akbar Mulla in September last year. The case was registered taking cognizance of the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Economic Offences Cell (EOC) of Goa police.
Sources said that the ED probe will uncover the money trail and once identified, the same will be attached and recovery will be conducted. According to sources, ED is examining records and documents from the GCA including the BCCI and also from banks.
It may be recalled that in June 2016, EOC had registered the FIR against Desai, Phadke and Mulla on various charges including forgery, cheating and criminal conspiracy for allegedly misappropriating Rs 3.13 crore. In January this year, EOC filed charge sheet against the three and also former GCA president Dayanand Narvekar. Incidentally, Narvekar was not named in the FIR but during the course of investigation, police came across the alleged role of Narvekar. As such, he (without arrest) was named as accused in the charge sheet, sources said.
