Goa BJP lawmaker charge sheeted in forgery case

The Goa Police's Crime Branch on Friday filed a charge sheet against a ruling BJP legislator Michael Lobo and three others for allegedly cheating and forging documents related to CRZ clearances for construction of the politician's resort in the popular coastal village of Calangute.

The charge sheet, which was filed before judicial magistrate first class in Mapusa names Lobo, his associate Frankie Viegas, ex-director of the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority and a retired draftsman Wilfred Joao as the accused.

They have been accused of collectively forging a no-objection certificate using an official computer on the premises of the authority, with active collaboration from the officials of the government organisation, which is tasked with ensuring that Coastal Regulation Zone norms are followed.

The charge sheet also claims that the forged NOC was later used by Lobo and his partner to obtain required permission and licenses to construct a three-star resort in Calangute village located 20 kms from Panaji.