Goa IG prison Elvis Gomes opts for VRS

Panaji: Goa Inspector General of Prison, Elvis Gomes, booked by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), has opted for voluntary retirement, with Deputy Chief Minister Francis D'Souza today saying 'victimisation' of the officer could be the reason behind his decision.

The officer, who has been booked in connection with a land conversion case, submitted his request for voluntary retirement yesterday.

"I don't know the exact reason for him to go for VRS. There could be any possibility like victimisation or political decision. I don't know anything," D'Souza said, adding, the main reason can be better answered by Elvis (Gomes) only.

Gomes and former Goa Tourism minister Nilkant Halarnkar were booked by ACB in connection with a scam between 2007 and 2011, involving 30,000 square metres of land in Margao town.

The matter relates to the time when Halarnkar was the Chairman of Goa Housing Board and Gomes was its Managing Director. According to the ACB, they allegedly acquired a land, changed its zoning (purpose of usage) to residential, which would increase the land's market value and gave it back to the owner.

The Board acquired the land for building residential units and allegedly got its zoning changed from 'orchard' to 'settlement'.

D'Souza said that he has called the Superintendent of Police (ACB) in his office to know the details of the case filed against Gomes.

"In government service, one opts for VRS while others wait for retirement. It is not like politics. We have many good officers, who will replace him," he said.

Meanwhile, speaking to mediapersons, Gomes refused to give the reasons behind his decision to take voluntary retirement and also did not comment on rumours that he is quitting government service to join Aam Aadmi Party.