Panaji (Goa): Panaji JMFC Vaishali Lotlikar today issued notices to the Crime branch and Old Goa Police seeking their replies on December 12th to the petition filed today by Adv. Aires Rodrigues seeking that the Court monitor the investigation of both the F.I.Rs registered in connection with the alleged sex scandal involving Fisheries Minister Vinod Paliencar.

In the petition filed under Section 156 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code,

Adv. Rodrigues has also prayed that the F.I.R against him highhandedly transferred last night to the Crime branch be probed by any officer other than Dattaguru Sawant.

Drawing the Court’s attention that he had appeared in a case against Dattaguru Sawant, Adv. Rodrigues in his petition has stated that he  had also filed a complaint of disproportionate assets against Dattaguru Sawant which after a detailed inquiry conducted by Superintendent of Police Shekkar Prabhudesai concluded that Dattaguru Sawant’s misconduct of not seeking prior approval to acquire property and not giving intimation about purchase of vehicle etc as per the CCS Conduct rules was proved.

Adv. Rodrigues has stated that he has bonafide reasons to believe that any investigation by Dattaguru Sawant will be biased as he will attempt to settle scores.

Adv. Rodrigues has stated that it is a well-settled principle of law that all State action must be fair and reasonable to all concerned, and must be free and untainted by the vice of arbitrariness.

Pointing out that the November 27th attack on him at his office was at the instance of State Fisheries Minister Vinod Paliencar who is embroiled in the alleged sex scandal, Adv. Rodrigues has stated that the Court needs to monitor the investigation as the accused who attacked him are politically very influential.