Former Goa minister and Congress leader Churchill Alemao arrested in bribery case
Former Public Works Department Minister Churchill Alemao was today remanded to four-day police custody by a court in Panaji in connection with the Louis Berger bribery case hours after his arrrest by the Goa Crime Branch, which is now closing in on former Chief Minister Digambar Kamat.
Mr Alemao, who was minister in the previous Congress Government led by Digambar Kamat, was taken into custody from Agassaim village in South Goa around midnight. His bail petition would be heard by the District and Sessions Court tomorrow.
Goa Police claimed to have "clinching evidence" against Mr Alemao who contended that his arrest was part of a "political game", a charge rejected by Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, heading the BJP-led government in Goa.
A senior Crime Branch official, requesting annonymity, said, "Alemao was arrested as we got clinching evidence against him after interrogating other accused. We might need custodial interrogation of Kamat too."
Before being produced in court, 66-year-old Mr Alemao told reporters that his arrest was part of a political game.
"It is a political game. They are harassing me for no reason. I am ready to appear before the investigating officer whenever they want. I am innocent. I have not robbed anything," he said.
Mr Alemao is the only politician arrested so far in connection with the pay-off scandal. The Crime Branch had quizzed Mr Alemao twice last week, besides Mr Kamat, who was the Chief Minister between 2007 and 2012.
Mr Parsekar, who heads the BJP-led Government in the state, rejected the allegation of political interference in the investigation.
"Police is doing a good job. No one would be spared. There is no political interference in that. We have given a free hand to them to investigate this case."
During the hearing on his remand, Mr Alemao's lawyer said, "my client is ready to be in the custody even till Monday if there is something that police can expect to collect from him."
On the other hand, police is preparing to oppose Mr Kamat's anticipatory bail plea, which will come up for hearing tomorrow in a court in Panaji.