Goa ACB does not rule out custodial interrogation of Kavlekar

Hours after filing FIR against senior Congress leader Chandrakant Kavlekar, the Anti- Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Goa Police today did not rule out the possibility of his custodial interrogation.
ACB which has been investigating the complaint of disproportionate assets filed against Kavlekar in the year 2012, last evening registered FIR against him under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
"Kavlekar has still not been able to satisfy the investigating agencies about the additional source of income to the tune of Rs 5 crore," Superintendent of Police (ACB) Bosco George told reporters here.
"If he fails to give a satisfactory reply, we might need his custodial interrogation," he said.

George said the FIR also names his wife, Savitri, as the co-accused as she is the director in his company.
"As of now the disproportionate assets have been valued at over Rs 4.78 crore excluding the unexplained amount of Rs 5.50 crore," George said.

He said Kavlekar's wife might also be summoned for questioning by ACB as a part of the investigation.
The couple have been booked under section 13 (2) (any public servant who commits criminal misconduct) of Prevention of Corruption Act.
Kavlekar, who is the leader of opposition in the Goa assembly, was chairman of Goa Industrial Corporation from 2005-2012, George said, adding, assets amassed during this period are under scanner.

During investigation, Kavlekar was questioned but he has not been able to give satisfactory replies because of which we had to register the case.
The Kavlekar couple had filed their assets as Rs one crore each before the institution of Lokayukta (elected representatives have to file the details of their assets with the Lokayukta).
George said that it took time for the police to file FIR as some of his properties were in Kerala and the documents about it were in Malayalam which needed to be translated.
He said the searches are going on at his residences and offices of his company.

George said the legislator owns four companies.
When contacted, Kavlekar said he is ready for inquiry by ACB or any other agency.
"I am not on the wrong side. I am ready for inquiry," he said, adding, the state government was trying its best to demoralise the opposition through such tactics.
Kavlekar is a three term member of Goa assembly and was Chairman of state run Goa Industrial Development Corporation during the tenure of Digambar Kamat.
In 2012, Goa police had filed a case against Kavlekar under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act, taking suo moto cognisance of some media reports alleging his involvement in illegal allotment of plots.

The investigations had also revealed that Kavlekar owned a plantation worth Rs 32.5 crore in Kerala.