IFFI scam chargesheet in 2 months: CBI

GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 26 April 2010 22:37 IST

The CBI is planning to file a chargesheet within two month into an alleged scam related to expenditure on infrastructure development for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2004.

Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar is the prime accused in the case, as he was the chief minister during the first IFFI organised in Goa.

"We are filing chargesheet in the case very soon. Within a month or two...We are in the final phase of the investigation," CBI joint director Rishiraj Singh told the media persons here.

The director was in Goa to attend inauguration of new CBI office at Bambolim.

According to Singh, the case is in the final phase of investigation.

"The case is very strong", he said, substantiating charges of misappropriation of funds made against Parrikar and his core committee of IFFI in 2004.

The core committee members include chief minister Digambar Kamat, Speaker Pratapsingh Rane, power minister Aleixo Sequeira, water resources minister Philip Neri Rodrigues, education minister Babush Monseratte and few others.

CBI has already quizzed Parrikar in the case. However, the director could not say firmly whether CM Kamat would also be interrogated.

"It depends on what happens during the course of investigations", quipped Singh.

While the CBI is expected to quiz all the core committee members, Kamat has already said he is prepared to depose before the CBI, if required.

Surprisingly, however, chief minister Kamat as well as few other core committee members of the ruling Congress party have given clean chit to Parrikar in the case.

"There was no misappropriation of any kind," Kamat has said.

This comment came in response to Parrikar's reaction that all the decisions regarding IFFI 2004 were taken by the core committee and today's cabinet members were also part of it.

Kamat, at that time, was the art and culture minister in Parrikar's BJP-led coalition government.

Incidentally, the case was filed by Congress MLA and deputy speaker Mauvin Godinho.

Prior to that, Congress MP Shantaram Naik's committee, appointed by the Congress after coming to power, had alleged gross misappropriation of funds during IFFI 2004.

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I am waiting for that day when the case will come before the court of law & Doodh ka doodh & Pani ka Pani ho jayega.

Remember GOLD glitters more when it comes out of fire.

- Shekhar, Panaji Goa | 28 th April 2010 10:57