Latest news with #Gaonkar
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
State legislature employee gets 7-year jail term for misappropriation of funds
MUMBAI: A cashier at the state legislature was sentenced to seven years in jail on May 5 by a special court under the Prevention of Corruption Act, for misappropriation of government funds and for amassing a disproportionate amount of assets from March 1991 to December 2004. An FIR had been registered against the accused, Manoj Gaonkar, in 2005 at the Marine Drive police station, and the anti-corruption bureau had taken over the case and revealed that he had acquired ₹19.24 lakh, which was 109.62% more than his known sources of income. Gaonkar's advocate contradicted the charges and claimed that there was no significant amount in his account. However, the prosecution examined 12 witnesses, including investigating officers and bank officials, and key evidence included salary records, loan statements, demat account transactions, and property purchase documents. The court said, 'The investigation was thorough, the computation was corroborated by official records, and testimonies were consistent.' Additional sessions judge Shahikant E Bangar held the accused guilty under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and said that despite being given multiple opportunities, he was unable to explain the extra assets in his possession. The court said, 'He committed forgery, cheating, and criminal breach of trust under IPC,' and added that the state was not to show him any leniency. In 2018, Gaonkar was sentenced to five years in prison for siphoning off ₹63,000 from a member of the legislative council's medical claim and misappropriating over ₹52.3 lakh from the state government funds in 2005. He had misappropriated money from the travel allowance of member of the legislative assembly, Anil Gote, by forging challans and making wrong entries in the cash book.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Court sends dismissed Vidhan Bhavan cashier to seven-year rigorous imprisonment in disproportionate assets case
Mumbai: A special court on Thursday convicted and sentenced a 56-year-old dismissed Vidhan Bhavan cashier to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for committing criminal misconduct and amassing assets worth Rs 15.95 lakh — over 100% disproportionate to his known sources of income between 1991 and 2004. During this period, the accused, Manoj Gaonkar, earned a total of Rs 14.75 lakh. His properties included domestic articles valued at Rs 1.5 lakh, a flat each at Borivli and Mira Road, and a farmhouse in Talegaon, Pune district. Gaonkar was also fined Rs 50,000. In a 143-page judgement, special judge Shashikant Eknathrao Bangar said, "The accused was a public servant, he held assets disproportionate to his known income during the check period. He failed to satisfactorily account for them, he committed criminal misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He committed forgery, cheating, and criminal breach of trust under IPC." In 2018, Gaonkar was convicted and sentenced to five years' simple imprisonment for siphoning off Rs 63,000 from an MLC's medical claim and misappropriating over Rs 52.3 lakh from the state govt funds — collectively Rs 53 lakh — in 2005. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos Portal Saúde do Homem Clique aqui Undo The sentence in the 2005 case is suspended pending an appeal Gaonkar filed in the sessions court. The order for forfeiting the properties amassed illegally is also stayed. On March 15, 2005, the pay and accounts department of Mantralaya lodged a police complaint after an audit found that Gaonkar deposited only Rs 7,000 in the state govt's account in the RBI but submitted a forged receipt showing he deposited Rs 70,000 and even produced a cash book. It was alleged that the money belonged to then MLC Anil Gote's medical entitlement. During the same period, a departmental inquiry was initiated against Gaonkar, and it was found that he misappropriated another Rs 52.3 lakh, including Rs 10 lakh from the Rs 30 lakh that Parliament gave the state govt for a conference. Hence, the first FIR was lodged in 2005, and Gaonkar was subsequently charged. In 2009, a second case, a disproportionate assets case, was registered against him after it was found that he bought several properties with the misappropriated funds. This included a flat in Chikoowadi in Borivli then valued at Rs 13 lakh, a flat in Mira Road then valued at Rs 4 lakh, and a farmhouse in Talegaon then valued at Rs 3 lakh. In the disproportionate assets case, seeking stringent punishment, public prosecutor Prabhakar Tarange submitted that corruption cases are on the rise and are rarely detected and noticed for being brought to book. The judge said that the offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act are required to be dealt with a stringent view as per the observations of the Supreme Court. "...[T]he mitigating circumstances do not outweigh the aggravating circumstances against the accused, and there appears no reasonable justification for taking a lenient view while sentencing. " Relying on the deposition of the investigating officer, the judge noted that the investigation was detailed, trustworthy, and offered meticulous insight into disproportionate assets. "His findings, coupled with contemporaneous records and witness statements, establish prima facie evidence of the accused possessing property beyond his known lawful income. The prosecution's case stands substantially corroborated, and the deposition lays a strong foundation for further adjudication," the judge said. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Time of India
Report puts Shirgao jatra stampede onus on collector, SP, others
Panaji: The fact-finding committee report, in connection with the stampede at Shree Devi Lairai Jatra on Friday, held former North Goa SP Akshat Kaushal and former North Goa collector Sneha Gitte, among others, responsible for the stampede. The committee, headed by revenue secretary Sandeep Jacques , submitted the report on Friday to chief minister Pramod Sawant, who said that the report consists of observations, conclusions, and recommendations. 'I have received the report. Thorough investigation was done by the committee,' the CM told TOI . The fact-finding committee held former North Goa SP, former North Goa collector, devasthan committee, panchayat, panchayat secretary, former deputy collector, former deputy superintendent of police, and former Bicholim PI, among others, responsible for the stampede,' Sawant told TOI . Operation Sindoor PM Modi meets NSA, chiefs of armed forces amid spike in tensions with Pak India's air defence systems shoot down Pak drones in J&K, Punjab & Rajasthan Several airports in India to be closed till May 15 - check list Sawant said that govt is examining the findings in the report and necessary action would be initiated against the persons responsible for the stampede. Based on the preliminary inquiry into the stampede, govt transferred Gitte, Kaushal, Bicholim deputy SP Jivba Dalvi, Bicholim PI Dinesh Gadekar, and Bicholim deputy collector Bhimnath Khorjuvekar, with immediate effect. Six people died and 74 others were injured in the stampede early on Saturday morning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Cost Of Amusement Park Equipment From Mexico Might Surprise You Amusement Park Equipment | search ads Click Here Undo Three of the deceased — two women and a 16-year-old boy — were identified as 'dhonds', special devotees of the goddess. The stampede, perhaps the first in post-Liberation Goa's history, occurred on the second day of the five-day jatra that began on May 3. Some injured people continue to be admitted to the hospital for medical treatment. The Shree Devi Lairai Devasthan committee stated on Thursday that the state administration fell short in making the necessary arrangements for the jatra. Temple president Dinanath Gaonkar said that the procedure was delayed by the mamlatdar in making arrangements for the jatra. Gaonkar said that the committee should not be held responsible for the tragedy as it worked tirelessly. On the day of the jatra, Gaonkar said, the mahajan urged police, who were few in number at the spot of the eventual stampede, to make one-way points for entry and exit for smooth flow. 'We informed the PSI present at the spot. The managing committee cannot reach everywhere, but wherever the managing committee was present, the situation was controlled by us,' said Gaonkar. The rest of the law-and-order situation has to be dealt with by the administration, he said. 'All things cannot be done by the committee,' said Gaonkar. 'It is the responsibility of the administration and the panchayat to take this seriously. Govt does not involve the village panchayat. They have not done anything, and whatever has happened is the result of this. This is what I think.'
Time of India
01-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Firewalk of piety: Shirgao set for jatra of Goddess Lairai
Bicholim: The state's popular and piety-powered jatra of Goddess Lairai at Shirgao starts on Friday. Dhonds (devotees) fast during the five days of the festival and travel not just from across Goa but also from neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka. Dinanath Gaonkar, president of Lairai Devasthan, said, 'New dhonds are required to fast for five days, while the old fast for three days.' He added that some fast for almost a month before the festival. During the jatra, dhonds have to be pious and consume meals only after a holy dip. While this practice is followed throughout Goa, Gaonkar said, even devotees residing in foreign countries adhere to the custom. On the first day of the festival, after performing all rituals, including Garhane (appeal to the goddess for protection and blessing), the dhonds take a dip into the holy Devichi Tali . Gaonkar said that on the way to the pond that same evening, a priest holds a kalash (pitcher). Devotees set up firewood in a pyramid form. The firewood that's already set-up in pyramid form is litbythepriest. This process is known as Homkhan (sacred fire). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Scarlett Johansson, 40, Shows Off Her Real Size In A New Vacation Photos 33 Bridges Undo After bathing in the pond, dhonds dance around Homkhan until dawn. The dancing ends only after the firewood is reduced to ashes. Thereafter, the dhonds walk barefoot on a flaming coal bed, chanting 'Har Har Mahadev'. That act of piety is the prime attraction of the jatra. Festivities continue for four days in the form of Kaulotsav. The priest carries the kalash from one house to the other, blessing a large number of villagers.
