Power rebate: Mauvin gets SC reprieve BY HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, NOV 26 — Cortalim MLA and Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho received a major reprieve from the Supreme Court on Monday in connection with the power rebate case. The former power minister was granted stay on the trial proceedings which were to start from November 30. While partly allowing the revision petition, the Bombay High Court at Goa last month had ordered framing of charges against Godinho under section 13 (1)(d)(i) and (iii) of the Prevention of Corruption Act read with section 120 B of IPC and that he be tried in accordance with law. And he was ordered to appear before the trial court on November 30, 2007. However, the then power minister, former chief electrical engineer, officials of three different power guzzling units, were exempted from offences. Justice N A Britto had observed that there was prima facie material to frame charges against them for corruption and conspiracy. in a multi-crore power rebate scam. Godinho's defense was that there was a political conspiracy against him and hence he was targeted in the matter. The prosecution, however, contended that Godinho in his capacity as power minister had granted undue favours to two companies enabling them to avail 25 per cent rebate on power supply and causing loss of Rs 4,52,77,856 to government of Goa and wrongful gain to the two companies. BY HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, NOV 26 — Cortalim MLA and Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho received a major reprieve from the Supreme Court on Monday in connection with the power rebate case. The former power minister was granted stay on the trial proceedings which were to start from November 30. While partly allowing the revision petition, the Bombay High Court at Goa last month had ordered framing of charges against Godinho under section 13 (1)(d)(i) and (iii) of the Prevention of Corruption Act read with section 120 B of IPC and that he be tried in accordance with law. And he was ordered to appear before the trial court on November 30, 2007. However, the then power minister, former chief electrical engineer, officials of three different power guzzling units, were exempted from offences. Justice N A Britto had observed that there was prima facie material to frame charges against them for corruption and conspiracy. in a multi-crore power rebate scam. Godinho's defense was that there was a political conspiracy against him and hence he was targeted in the matter. The prosecution, however, contended that Godinho in his capacity as power minister had granted undue favours to two companies enabling them to avail 25 per cent rebate on power supply and causing loss of Rs 4,52,77,856 to government of Goa and wrongful gain to the two companies. http://oheraldo.in/pagedetails.asp?nid=4777&cid=10 -- DEV BOREM KORUM. Gabe Menezes. London, England QUESTION: Is the amount that was pilfered, recoverable/recovered ?
