PANAJI: The cheque of Rs 2.87 crore (in question) from the BCCI has to be received by one of the accused persons, contended the public prosecutor Poonam Bharne while opposing the bail applications of GCA president Chetan Desai, secretary Vinod Phadke and treasurer Akbar Mulla in the alleged misappropriation of GCA’s Rs 3.13 crore.
Bharne told the court that the accused person should know as to who had received the cheque. She said that there were clear instructions to the staff of the GCA not to open any envelops and that it were opened by the people in authority at the GCA.
According to information, there is no record of the cheque with the GCA.
As per the police investigation, a bank account was opened in the Development Credit Bank (DCB) in the city on April 12, 2007, only to deposit the Rs 2.87 crore cheque received from the BCCI. The money was subsequently withdrawn by bearer cheques.
The three accused are also accused of allegedly siphoning off Rs 26 lakhs of the GCA from another bank account.
Bharne told the court that the investigations are monitored by DySP, SP and that there is no pressure or influence (political) on the police as it has been claimed by the defence counsel. So far, the statements recorded and evidence collected point fingers towards the accused, said Bharne.
The hearing on the bail matter will continue on Friday before the JMFC, Panaji. EOC on the June 15 had arrested GCA president Chetan Desai, secretary Vinod Phadke and treasurer Akbar Mulla’s in the alleged misappropriation of GCA’s Rs 3.13. All the three are currently in police custody.
