Verdict in Goa Speaker wealth case on Dec. 15

Special Judge under the Prevention of Corruption B.P. Deshpande on Tuesday fixed for December 15 the verdict in the disproportionate assets case against Rajendra Arlekar, the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly. The final arguments and additional submissions in the case concluded on Tuesday.

The case was earlier heard and fixed for judgment by CBI Court Judge PV. Sawaikar. But just two days before the scheduled judgment, the Goa Government by an order stripped Judge Sawaikar of his powers to hear matters under the Prevention of Corruption Act. In his petition under Section 156(3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, activist-lawyer Aires Rodrigues has  questioned the source of funds by which Mr. Arlekar purchased a 500 sq mt plot at Porvorim in north Goa .

Pointing out that in an affidavit filed by Mr. Arlekar before Goa’s Chief Electoral officer on February 9 2012 he had shown his income for the year 2010-2011 as Rs. 2,76,671 and that of his wife Anagha Deshpande Arlekar who is a school teacher as Rs.5,87,186, Mr. Rodrigues has alleged that the purchase of the plot for 72 lakhs by Mr. Arlekar was disproportionate to his last known source of income.

Mr. Rodrigues has also pointed out that Mr. Arlekar had shown his total liabilities in the affidavit by way of loans etc as Rs.30,54,314 and further liabilities by way of Government dues as Rs.2,64,734 but that his statement of assets and liabilities filed on 31st July 2013 before the Goa Lokayukta does not show any liabilities.

Drawing the Court’s attention that Mr. Arlekar in his affidavit on 9th February 2012 had shown his total income for the year 2010-2011 as Rs. 2,76,671, Mr. Rodrigues has stated that it prima facie reveals that Mr. Arlekar has concealed the real income earned by him from his HP petrol pump dealership “Om Shree Vetobaa” at Vasco in south Goa.

Mr. Rodrigues has also sought that it be investigated as to how the total income of  Ms. Anagha Arlekar who is a school teacher which was Rs.5,87,186 in 2010-2011 had shot up to Rs.9,32,278 in the year 2012-2013. Seeking directions of the Court that Mr. Arlekar be booked under Section 13 (1) (d) & (e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and Section 120-B of IPC along with Section 34 of IPC, Mr. Rodrigues has urged the Court to monitor the investigation as the police were not doing their duty.