Goa power scam case: Court adjourns hearing over Mauvin Godinho's absence

Earlier the high court of Bombay at Goa directed the court to expedite the pending case and conclude the recording of evidence within one year.
Former power minister Mauvin Godinho

Former power minister Mauvin Godinho

The Additional Sessions Judge Vincent has adjourned hearing pertaining to the alleged power rebate scam filed by the Crime Branch against a former power minister Mauvin Godinho and others to March 31 following the failure of Mauvin Godinho to appear in the court.

Earlier the high court of Bombay at Goa directed the court to expedite the pending case and conclude the recording of evidence within one year.

The Crime Branch has filed a charge sheet against a former power minister, besides two industrial units and four others in connection with the alleged Rs 4.52 crore power rebate scam.

All the accused have been charged under Sections 409, 420, 465, 468 and 471 read with Section 120 (b) of the Indian Penal Code and under Sections 13 (1) d (i) and 13 (1) d (ii) read with Section 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for alleged criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, conspiracy and criminal misconduct by a public servant.

In 1998, former chief minister Manohar Parrikar exposed the scam and an FIR was registered in the crime branch of the Goa police against the then power minister in the Congress government. The special court ordered framing of charges against the accused in 2006.

Subsequently, in 2007, the high court held that prima facie there is material to frame charges for corruption against the accused. In 2018, the Supreme Court upheld the high court order to proceed with the trial against the accused.

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