Will quit as MLA if bribery allegations proved: Ex-Goa CM Rane

Former Goa chief minister Pratapsingh Rane today said he would step down as an MLA if allegations that he had sought and accepted bribe to clear a file for mining activity, are proved against him during probe.
The special investigation team (SIT) of crime branch is probing the case against Rane and his son Vishwajit, filed by a miner who had accused them of demanding and accepting a huge bribe for clearing a file pertaining to the iron ore extraction activity.
"There are some cases filed against me. The FIR is also filed. I welcome the investigation against me. I challenge in the House... I will resign if I am found guilty," Rane, also the Leader of Opposition, told the Assembly after Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar's reply on the floor.

The FIR should be properly investigated by government, he told reporters later.
Rane said the state should have a proper Lokayukta in place so that cases of corruption are investigated and people get justice.
Rane said Bhalchandra Naik who filed the case against him, had told the SIT he extracted 60,000 million tonne of the ore while the fact is he had the permission to extract only 100 million tonne.

The Congress veteran has secured a pre-arrest bail in connection with the case in which Naik has accused him and Vishwajit of extorting money from him.
Naik had alleged the father-son duo took Rs 6 crore from him for renewal of his mining lease in 2012.

Rane's petition for anticipatory bail will come up for hearing in a court here tomorrow.
The SIT had registered a case against the duo on July 3 last year for allegedly accepting the bribe three years back.
The investigating officers are yet to call Rane and his son for the interrogation.