ED raids ex-Goa CM's house, others in Louis Berger case

Officials of the Enforcement Directorate and Crime Branch on Thursday conducted five simultaneous raids in Goa, including at the residence of former chief minister Digambar Kamat, in connection with the Louis Berger bribery case.

A senior ED official said raids were conducted in Panaji and Margao and those whose homes and officials premises were raided would be summoned soon for questioning.

Raids were conducted at the residence of Kamat in Margao, 35 km from Panaji, his brother-in-law Gaurish Lawande's home and office premises in Panaji, offices of one Nilesh Lawande and the house of one Narhar Thakur in the state capital.

"During the operation, many financial documents and foreign currencies of different countries were seized. The examination of seized documents is in progress. Summons will be issued to the people concerned shortly after the completion of the scrutiny of the documents," an ED spokesperson said.

Two weeks ago, the ED had filed an Enforcement Case Information Report under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the Louis Berger international bribery scam, after it was revealed that the bribe money came through the hawala route.

An alleged hawala dealer Raichand Soni was arrested by the Crime Branch in connection with the case in which two former chief ministers, including Kamat, and other officials are allegedly involved.