Louis Berger case: Special court rejects Churchill Alemao's bail plea

A special court on Monday rejected former Goa PWD Minister Churchill Alemao's bail plea in connection with the Louis Berger case.

While refusing the bail, the court did not pronounce the detailed verdict, which is likely to be uploaded on the court's website later in the day.

Earlier, a local court had on Monday rejected the bail of Alemao's bail. Alemao was arrested on the night of August 5 by the state Crime Branch.

He was the state PWD minister when officials of the US-based company Louis Berger allegedly paid bribes to win consultancy for water augmentation and sewerage pipeline project under Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

He was arrested under various sections of Prevention of Corruption Act and 120 (B) of the Indian Penal Code, police had earlier said.

Alemao, however, had maintained that the allegations were politically motivated.

Apart from Alemao, three others - former vice president of Louis Berger Satyakam Mohanty, head of JICA-aided project in Goa Anand Wachasunder and alleged hawala dealer Raychand Soni - were earlier arrested by the police in connection with the bribery scandal. Former state Chief Minister Digambar Kamat was also questioned twice by the investigators in connection with the case.