Commission to probe Goa tickets scam
Sandesh Prabhudesai
The Goa government on Thursday constituted a judicial commission, headed by former Karnataka high court Chief Justice (retired) M L Pendse, to look into the allegations of printing, marketing and selling of fake tickets for the India-Australia one-day international, held in Goa, on April 6.
The commission has been given four months to submit its report, Goa Sports Minister Sanjay Bandekar informed.
The police have already charge sheeted Goa Cricket Association president and former Goa Deputy Chief Minister Dayanand Narvekar and eight others in two different cases related to the match.
The one-man commission will also investigate the printing, marketing and selling of
fake tickets at another ODI, held in Goa on December 28, 1997. Narvekar has been
heading the GCA since then.
A notification issued in this regard states that Justice Pendse will complete the probe within 120 days. He is expected to arrive in Goa on October 28 to begin his investigation.
Surprisingly, the notification does not mention whether the findings will be mandatory on the government.
"The cabinet will shortly decide about this aspect," said Bandekar, after
realising that sports secretary Arvind Ray (IAS) had not guided him in
this regard.
The commission will also ascertain whether any GCA office-bearer
was involved in the printing, marketing and selling of the fake tickets, or made
any unlawful gain out of it and acquired disproportionate assets.
The commission has also been directed to probe into financial
irregularities in awarding contracts for running canteens and display of
hoardings during the April 6 ODI.
Besides this, the commission is expected to inquire into the functioning of
the GCA since 1997, with special regard to the
financial aspect.
The two-page order also directs the commission to make recommendations for
the proper functioning of the GCA as well as the organisation of similar events
like ODIs in future.
Related reports:
Judicial probe into GCA tickets scam
Former Goa Dy. CM Narvekar arrested
Goa cricket rigmarole continues
Goa Cricket Association asked to show-cause
Narvekar gets a respite
Narvekar's bail plea rejected
GCA president orchestrated ticket scam, say police
5 arrested in bogus tickets case
