Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Jun 17: The North Goa Sessions Court has directed the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) to file an FIR into bribery allegations made earlier this year by former minister Pandurang Madkaikar.

The directive comes after citizen activists approached the court challenging the ACB's decision to close the case, citing Madkaikar’s retraction. The ex-minister had claimed he was referring to penalty payments, not bribes, when he earlier said he paid Rs 15–20 lac to get his files cleared.

Judge Irshad Agha ruled that the viral video of Madkaikar’s statement alone was sufficient to merit an FIR and investigation. The court criticized the ACB for not acting on it, saying, "Such public statements and later retractions mislead the public and undermine institutional trust."

The activists demanded action under sections 7 and 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, insisting Madkaikar must be held accountable if the statement was true or false.

Earlier, Madkaikar had told the ACB he paid official charges and penalties totaling Rs 46 lakh, and the agency closed the case citing lack of evidence. The court, however, found that an FIR must precede deeper inquiry into the matter.