Former sarpanch, secy booked for graft

Margao: South Goa police on Monday booked an offence against former sarpanch of Benaulim panchayat, Carmelina Fernandes, and a former panchayat secretary, Deepak Chari, on charges of cheating and corruption.
Police sources said that the block development officer (BDO) M S Mardolkar, lodged a complaint with the Colva police pointing out that Fernandes, during her tenure as sarpanch, connived with Chari, who was then the panchayat secretary, and purchased office stationery and other items worth 1.35 lakh from a shop in Margao for the Cana Benaulim panchayat in an unauthorized manner and without following the laid down procedure with respect to procurement of goods by the panchayat.
As the dealings reeked of corrupt practices, the police have booked the case under sections 420 of the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Dy SP Mohan Naik is investigating into the case.