TEAM TNV
Panaji (Goa)
After over three years of investigation, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has filed a closure report in a bribery case registered against famous father-son duo of Goa politics.
The SIT Mines filed a closure report in the local court on account of lack of evidence.
The SIT was investigating a case into allegations by Dahej Minerals’Balchandra Naik that former leader of opposition Pratapsingh Rane and his son Vishwajit Rane extorted money. Naik had said that the Congress’ senior leader and Poriem MLA had demanded money not to raise objection to start mining at Poriem in Sattari taluka.
In his statement to the SIT, Naik further mentioned that Girish Pai, director of Dahej Minerals had met the Valpoi MLA Vishwajit Rane who allegedly demanded 6 crore for not raising any objection against the mine. The demand was also met by giving him Rs 6 crore which Vishwajit accepted, he had stated.
The Ranes had then filed for anticipatory bail which was granted. However, during the course of investigation and recording of statements of all those concerned with the case, SIT has not gathered any evidence linking the father-son to the crime. The SIT also examined bank accounts but was unable to get any suspicious transactions.
At the time of registering the offense, Vishwajit Rane was in Congress. He switched over to BJP last year and is inducted as health minister in the Manohar Parrikar led government.
