TEAM HERALD [email protected]
PANJIM: Anant Shet is the honourable BJP MLA from Mayem. But did he ultimately win the elections fair and square. While the jury is still out, Herald has pieced together fascinating details of a gripping Bollywood style script which can well be titled "Shet's great escape from the Chorao ferry wharf". It had everything. A car full of cash. A police dash to the ferry wharf. Intercepted phone conversations, smses flying thick and fast. In the end, the police did get cash and BJP campaign material but not Shet. The point is why this isn't being pursued and the MLA not questioned. In the events which unfolded just seven hours before the elections, Shet was just booked for carrying the cash, his two accomplices were arrested by police on an intervening night of March 2-3. Police department sources revealed how the entire drama was unfolded at Chorao ferry wharf, when Shet was crossing the river in his Tavera car along with supporters and cash. Election Commission's flying squads, which were on the alert, were informed by expenditure observers about possibility of cash being distributed to lure voters. Number of possible vehicles was also given to the Commission by informants. As there was strict checking on the ferry wharf, a jeep GA-04-C-0469 arrived in the ferry, which was thoroughly checked. The vehicle is registered in the name of Anant Shet, the then BJP candidate, now MLA of Mayem, as per the Transport department's website. Cash worth Rs 3 lakh-odd were found in his possession, which was confiscated by the squad. The officials also seized BJP's campaign material, which was in the vehicle. As the officials continued checking of the cars, which were lined up behind Shet's vehicle, there was a verbal argument between workers and flying squad officials. Taking this opportunity, Shet made good his escape from the scene. Extra force from Old Goa was summoned at Chorao. While the search for Shet continued, he kept on getting inputs on his mobile from the scene. An official who was the part of the raid said that when they seized mobile phones of both the accused, Shet was constantly calling on their number. He was not aware that his accomplices were already arrested and the phones were in possession of the police. Honest police officers, who were part of the team, answered the phone and pretending to be his associates, told Shet that the raiding team had left and he could come to the wharf. But Shet did not turn up, which made the police realise that someone from around the spot was giving him a live update. The flying squad, then approached a parked vehicle, found that two persons were messaging the MLA asking him not to come to the spot. At the end of everything, two people were arrested and police have registered an offence against Shet too. There is no follow up as to why Shet was not questioned and whether he can be disqualified for allegedly distributing cash in the constituency to lure voters. http://www.heraldgoa.in/News/Main%20Page%20News/This-is-how-Anant-Shet-caught-with-lakhs-escaped-from-the-flying-squad/57762.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
