The Goa CBI Court on Saturday directed former Goa Director of Prosecution Shobha Dhumaskar to face trial on corruption charges under Section 13(2) read with Section 13 (1) (d) (i) & (ii) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 while rejecting the plea by the State Anti – Corruption branch (ACB) to close the case against her.
Judge P. V. Sawaikar allowed an application filed by activist lawyer Aires Rodrigues opposing the move by the ACB to close the corruption case that was registered against Ms. Dhumaskar.
While seeking to close the case, the ACB had informed the court that though the corruption case was true, the evidence was weak to chargesheet Ms. Dhumaskar as the loss to the exchequer was only Rs.61,200 and that the amount was being recovered.
Opposing the move, Mr. Rodrigues had drawn the attention of the CBI Court that Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had on May 7 last year by a written order approved the closure of the corruption case against Ms. Dhumaskar, which, he said, was to reward her for having issued a circular on May 29, 2012 directing all Public Prosecutors and Assistant Public Prosecutors to withdraw all criminal cases against politicians.
He also recalled that despite an F.I.R being registered against her, the Goa Government instead of suspending her gave her two extensions in service along with a very hefty pay hike.
On August 5, 2011, the activist had filed a complaint with the ACB against Ms. Dhumaskar alleging her of corruption and causing loss to the State exchequer.
He had drawn the attention of the ACB that a 76 sq mts flat at ‘Mutual Apartments’, at Panaji was leased by the then Director of Prosecution Dhumaskar in a manner showing undue favouritism and causing loss to the State exchequer.
He had pointed out that Ms. Dhumaskar went out of the way to lease that flat without issuing a public advertisement and that she had permitted the owners of the flat undue financial advantage at the cost of the State exchequer and had intentionally caused a huge financial loss to the State Exchequer.
As the ACB declined to register the F.I.R against her the complainant moved the Special Court under the Prevention of corruption Act which on April 21, 2012, which directed that an F.I.R. be registered against Ms. Dhumaskar.
