Kavlekars’ case catches prosecution off guard

Colva: South Goa sessions court on Wednesday observed that "it appears that there is no co-operation between the crime branch and anti-corruption branch" as the prosecution could not provide a key document in the case of anticipatory bail application filed by opposition leader Chandrakant 'Babu' Kavlekar.

The court questioned the relevance of certain arguments of the prosecution opposing the anticipatory bail application of Kavlekar and his brother Babal.

When the matter came up for hearing on Wednesday, public prosecutor L M Fernandes narrated details about how Kavlekar's residence was raided on September 16 by the anti-corruption bureau and the subsequent raid by the crime branch on the shop in the precincts of the same residential compound on September 20, which led to the seizure of 9,000 slips of matka and other gambling material.

Fernandes informed the court that though the shop is registered in the name of Babal, it is in possession of Chandrakant. The prosecutor told the principal session judge B P Deshpande that Savitri ,wife of leader of opposition, gave the key of the shop to the ACB. It is at this juncture, that the judge sought the panchanama copy to indicate that the exchange of keys were made.

Fernandes then pointed out that crime branch raided the shop four days later. The judge again wanted the panchanama copy on record to show that ACB has handed over the keys to the crime branch which the police or prosecution could not produce. "It looks like there is no cooperation between the two wings of the police department." the judge remarked

When Fernandes submitted that there are several cases against Babu Kavlekar, the court insisted to show whether it is mentioned in the police reply.

Subsequently, the court asked him not to argue his case in a piecemeal manner.

The court questioned the relevance of certain arguments of the prosecution opposing the anticipatory bail application of Kavlekar and his brother Babal. The case is now fixed for orders on October 6