A complaint of cheating and criminal conspiracy causing loss to the State exchequer has today been filed at the Panaji Police Station against former Chief Minister of Goa Manohar Parrikar and a Panaji computer dealer Nilesh Amonker in connection with office premises rented by the government next to the garbage treatment plant at Patto Plaza at an annual rent of over Rs. 5.5 crores.
In his complaint it has been submitted that Manohar Parrikar the then Chief Minister of Goa and Nilesh Amonker, Managing Partner of Apex Computer and Engineering Services criminally conspired, cheated and caused loss to the ex-chequer committing offences under Sections 420, 406 & 409 of Indian Penal Code in the hiring of office premises at ‘Spaces’ and ‘Kamat Towers’ at Patto Plaza. Manohar Parrikar by a note moved on 26.11.2012 directed that readymade premises of around 3000 sq. mts be hired to accommodate government offices but surprisingly on 25th February 2013 an altered and tailor made advertisement was issued calling for Expression of Interest for office space of 6000 to 7000 sq. mts on Hire Purchase basis. Besides Nilesh Amonker the only other valid bid was of Prudential Group Real Estate Developers owned by Nilesh Amonker’s brother-in-law Gaurang Sinai Suctancar In the complaint it has been alleged that Manohar Parrikar and Nilesh Amonker criminally hatched a conspiracy with dishonest intention for their sole benefit and that on instructions of Manohar Parrikar, the Government high-handedly deviated from Hire Purchase and surprisingly instead took Nilesh Amonker’s premises on a three year locked rental agreement extendable by another three years with a 3.5% annual increase in rent. If the premises were not being taken on Hire Purchase as was advertised it was incumbent to re-advertise as Government was deviating from the original advertisement. It was specified that the area of 6000/7000 sq. mts should be in one building or in two adjacent buildings. Nilesh Amonker had offered 5434 Sq. mts. in the building ‘Spaces’ and 613.25 sq. mts. at ‘Kamat Towers’ and factually ‘Kamat Towers’ is not adjacent to ‘Spaces’ as was required. The government committee which inspected the premises found that the actual floor space offered at ‘Spaces’ was only 3320.98 sq. mts. and not 5434 sq. mts. as wrongly stated by Nilesh Amonker in his bid. As per the records before renting the premises from Nilesh Amonker there was no attempt to identify other government owned available premises. This stage managed exercise in renting the premises was a well stitched neatly planned plot orchestrated by Manohar Parrikar to solely and unduly benefit Nilesh Amonker. The Government from 1st November 2013 leased from Nilesh Amonker 4841 sq. mts which includes the 925 sq. mts. of the parking space in the basement of the building ‘Spaces’ and 613.25 sq. mts. at ‘Kamat Towers’ for a monthly rent of Rs. 42,92,904.80 without the required rent rate reasonability certificate from the Public Works Department (PWD). Nilesh Amonker has been paid a whooping Rs. 5,50,10,537.60 (Five crores fifty lakhs ten thousand five hundred thirty seven rupees and sixty paise) as a year’s rent while the premises remained unused. Besides while in all private premises rented the owner pays the municipal taxes, for Nilesh Amonker the Government showered further unheard of generosity by footing even that bill. Though the real estate market in Goa is in utter dumps with office space at Patto just around Rs. 450 a sq. mt, the govt with criminal and malafide intent despite being cash strapped recklessly rented premises at Rs. 650 a sq. mt. while also pouring in crores of rupees on furnishing those premises only to benefit Nilesh Amonker. The Supreme Court has held that the cloak of office cannot be a shield to commit crimes and claim immunity especially in an offence under Section 420 of IPC. The Police have been urged to attach the concerned official file from the Secretariat before the documents are tampered with, manipulated or misplaced at the instance of the accused Manohar Parrikar and Nilesh Amonker who are politically well connected. In the complaint filed today it has been demanded that a First Information Report be registered against the accused Manohar Parrikar and Nilesh Amonker under Section Sections 420, 406, 409 r/w Section 120-B of the IPC, for cheating the State exchequer and causing undue loss to the State in a criminal conspiracy and to diligently after a speedy investigation promptly prosecute the accused in accordance with law. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires
