Louis Berger bribery case: Goa cops quiz ex-CM Digambar Kamat

Former Goa chief minister and senior Congress leader Digambar Kamat was on Wednesday questioned by crime branch for two hours in connection with the US firm Louis Berger bribery case. The sleuths also questioned former PWD minister Churchill Alemao for second time in two days. Alemao, who was quizzed for over seven hours yesterday, was grilled for two hours today.

Kamat, who had failed to turn up before police after summons was issued against him yesterday, appeared before the crime branch at 4.45 PM and was allowed to go at around around 7 PM. "I don't want to give any statement to the media. I have said whatever I have to before investigating officer," Kamat told reporters after emerging from questioning.

The case involves alleged pay-offs by the US company to the ministers in 2010 to win consultancy for water augmentation and sewerage line project executed under JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) funding.
Earlier in the day, Kamat denied allegations of his involvement in the case, saying he had never met the company's officials or accepted money for clearing the project when he was heading the ministry.

"I have been saying this from the first day. And I maintain the statement. I have never met Louis Berger company officials," he told reporters outside the state Assembly complex. I have not taken any money. The file never came to me," said Kamat who was heading the state between 2007-2012 when Louis Berger company allegedly paid bribe.

Crime Branch has already arrested A Wachasunder, a senior official who headed the controversial JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) water project in Goa that is at the centre of the pay off case. Police had yesterday claimed to have established the money trail after quizzing Alemao.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has said those involved in the bribery scandal will not get any pardon from his government and that his government has given police the "free hand" in investigation. "Those who are involved in corruption at the cost of state would not be pardoned. It is our duty to help police in investigation and we should encourage it," he said.