Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jun 28: The High Court of Bombay at Goa has issued notices to activist Kashinath Shetye and others in response to a petition filed by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Goa Police, challenging a lower court order directing the registration of an FIR based on bribery allegations made by former minister Pandurang Madkaikar.

The ACB, in its criminal revision application, sought to quash the June 9 order of the North Goa Principal District and Sessions Court, which directed the agency to register an FIR following Madkaikar’s viral public remark claiming he had to pay Rs 15–20 lakh to get official files cleared. The High Court will take up the matter on July 1.

The lower court's direction came after citizen activists contested the ACB's decision to close the inquiry on grounds that Madkaikar later retracted his statement, saying it referred to a penalty, not a bribe.

Judge Irshad Agha observed that the video clip of Madkaikar’s statement, widely circulated on social media, was sufficient grounds to register an FIR and required no further detailed inquiry.

The complainants argued that if Madkaikar’s statement was false, he should be held accountable for misleading the public and defaming institutions. The High Court’s upcoming hearing could determine whether the ACB must proceed with a formal probe.