Bribery case: Public prosecutor quits over "media criticism"

Special Public Prosecutor in the Louis Berger bribery case G D Kirtani, who was representing the Goa crime branch, has resigned citing "unwarranted" media criticism of his competence.
"Certain developments have taken place, without my consent, which have led to unwarranted criticism of my competency in a section of press, as also in social media," Kirtani said in his resignation letter addressed to Under Secretary (Home) Neetal Amonkar.
He tendered his resignation on August 15 and its copies were made available to media today.
Kirtani appeared for crime branch during the hearing of several petitions filed by the accused in the bribery case.

He had also argued against grant of anticipatory bail plea of former chief minister Digambar Kamat and the bail petition of former state PWD minister Churchill Alemao.
"Surprisingly, there has not been a single statement on behalf of the government clarifying their stance on the said issue," Kirtani stated without specifying the "issue" he has mentioned in the resignation letter.

"In addition, on account of the fact that I was required to be present at all times before the special court, my personal professional commitments in other cases or in other courts have tremendously suffered," the letter stated.
While no minister was available for comments, Kirtani did not answer phone calls.

When contacted, an official said Kirtani's resignation has not been accepted yet.
The crime branch of Goa police has named Kamat and Alemao among others in the bribery case. The case came to light when Louis Berger, a US-based firm, admitted to have paid bribe to a Goa minister for consultancy contract for a water project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Police have so far arrested Alemao, former vice-president of Louis Berger Satyakam Mohanty, head of JICA-aided project in Goa Anand Wachasunder and alleged hawala dealer Raychand Soni in the case.