The Bombay High Court at Goa on Thursday directed State Health Minister Vishwajit Rane to deposit ₹1.5 lakh to the State Legal Aid Fund while disposing of a 10-year-old case against him.
A spokesperson for the Panaji Bench of the High Court told reporters that following the order by Justices C.V. Bhadang and Prithviraj Chavan, Mr. Rane paid the money by demand draft.
Activist lawyer Aires Rodrigues in 2007 complained that Mr. Rane issued death threats to him duirng a telephonic conversation. Mr. Rodrigues told the court that he had no objection to a petition moved by Mr. Rane seeking closure of the decade-old case.
“The petitioner is permitted to deposit ₹1.5 lakh with the State Legal Aid Fund,” the one-line court order read. Mr. Rane, son of former Goa Chief Minister and senior Congress legislator Pratapsingh Rane, was booked under Section 506 (ii) of Indian Penal Code. Mr. Rane is a member of the cabinet and is contesting a by-election for the Valpoi assembly constituency to be held on August 23.
Meanwhile, the District Magistrate in South Goa on Thursday directed all owners of lodges in the State to not allow guests to check-in unless they produce identity proof issued by a recognised authority. The advisory is applicable to owners of hotels, private guest houses, paying guest accommodation and temporary residential accommodation.
One-week deadline
The District Magistrate said those who need accommodation on rent should submit a written statement to the nearby police station. The court said the landlord should submit the information in duly prescribed forms available at the local police station within a week.
