Activist seeks probe against Goa Speaker in land deal

A Goa-based social activist today demanded an inquiry into the purchase of a piece of land by Assembly Speaker Rajendra Arlekar on the outskirts of Panaji. Social activist Aires Rodrigues, who is also a lawyer, in an application submitted to state Chief Secretary, has demanded an inquiry by the Vigilance Department, into the source of money paid by Arlekar to purchase the land in Porvorim village. He alleged that Rs 72 lakh were paid by the Speaker to purchase the land ad measuring 500 square metres. Quoting the sale deed, Rodrigues said that the land was purchased from a Delhi-based journalist. "Sale deed does not reveal the mode of payment, whether it was paid in cash, cheque or draft," he said in an application. When contacted, Arlekar was not available for his comments on the issue while his office claimed that the "Speaker will react at the right time."