PANAJI: Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte was arrested by Goa police on Thursday past midnight and later released on bail for allegedly wrongfully restraining and threatening BJP leader Premanand Mahambre.
At a press conference held at BJP office on Wednesday, Mahambre had raised issues pertaining to the businesses and assets of Khaunte.
Following complaint by Mahambre, the Porvorim police booked Khaunte under section 341(wrongful restraint) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code. Khaunte was arrested by the police from his residence at about 1.50 am and released on bail bond.
To arrest Khaunte, Police also took permission from Goa Legislative Assembly Speaker Rajesh Patnekar as the budget session is currently on.
In his complaint before the police, the complainant has stated that in his capacity as the spokesperson of BJP-Goa Pradesh, he participated in a press conference at BJP head office in Panaji at 4 pm on Wednesday.
“In the said press briefing, I had raised certain issues pertaining to the assets and businesses of Khaunte. After the said press briefing, I moved to the Assembly at Porvorim to listen to the speech of Chief Minister regarding the reply to the motion of thanks to the Governor of Goa,” the complainant stated.
“As I was moving towards the corridor, I met Digambar Kamat as well as Khaunte. Looking at me, Khaunte got angry and furious. He gripped my hand tightly and in furious tone asked me as to why I am so concerned of his properties. I will show you. I will show you your father and mother’s properties too,” stated the complainant.
The complainant also said that he has reported the matter to the Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly as the incident has occurred in the precincts of the Assembly.
“Kindly take cognisance of my complaint and register an FIR under relevant provisions of law on an immediate basis as I seriously anticipate a potential threat to my life from the said MLA or people working under his direct/indirect instructions,” said Mahambre in his complaint.