Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had both vowed of Zero tolerance to Corruption and good governance with transparency and accountability. However their acts and deeds speak very much to the contrary. The awfully dark days are looming for the very Independence and Autonomy of the Judiciary. Very suspect is the latest very high-handed move by the Goa government to virtually lay to rest the Goa CBI Court which was set up on 7th October last year as per the directive of the Supreme Court to expedite cases of corruption. Just two months ago all corruption cases were transferred to the CBI Court keeping in mind the spirit of the directions of the Supreme Court to fast track them. It is surprising if not apparent the reason for this sudden now abrupt withdrawal of the corruption cases from the CBI Court. Now with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar having managed to swiftly wind up the CBI Court, all the corruption cases probed by the CBI and the Anti Corruption branch have now been transferred to an already very over burdened North Goa Principal District Judge who is having a pendency of over 1670 other cases and besides for the next over six months will be tied up with the Tarun Tejpal trial. Interestingly though the government notification divesting the CBI Court of its powers under the Prevention of Corruption Act is dated 7th October it was issued only yesterday. The Goa CBI Court which was presided over by Judge PV.Sawaikar had a pendency of around 120 corruption cases. Judge Sawaikar was scheduled to deliver his verdict on October 17th in the disproportionate assets case against Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly Rajendra Arlekar. Judge Sawaikar had recently also censured the Anti-Corruption Branch for having sought orders from Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar in a complaint that was filed against him. Taking note that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar should not have been allowed to go into the records of the investigation, Judge Sawaikar had in his order stated the SP of ACB, ought not to have followed such a procedure as it amounts to take opinion of an accused. Coincidentally Judge Sawaikar has been kept long waiting for his official car and government accommodation. After having spent lakhs of rupees on setting up this CBI Court at Mapusa the sudden questionable decision of the government will practically slow track the corruption cases much to the delight of the corrupt. Goa is without a State Information Commissioner and the Lokayukta is also nowhere in sight. So will this move by the Government to wind up the CBI Court be just another bonus to the perpetrators of corruption? Ache Din Aane Wale Hain for the corrupt! May I request you all to raise your voices loud and fearlessly on this day light assault on Goa’s Judiciary. Let us request Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar to make the one much needed U turn and restore the powers of the CBI Court if he really stands for Zero Tolerance to Corruption. Over to you, Mr. Chief Minister. Goa is watching.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 11:51:04 +0000
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