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Goa HC grants relief to ex-CM Kamat and Alemao in Louis Berger bribery case
On May 4, 2026, the Bombay High Court at Goa granted relief to former Goa chief minister Digambar Kamat and former PWD minister Churchill Alemao in the Louis Berger bribery case, setting aside a 2018 cognisance order. The court held that the Enforcement Directorate failed to obtain prior government sanction as required by Section 197 CrPC before taking cognisance of the ED's ECIR under PMLA. The decision follows 2015 raids, subsequent asset attachments by ED, and US pleas by Louis Berger Group officials that triggered the probe.
Why It Matters
The ruling underscores the necessity of prior government sanction for cognisance in PMLA cases involving public servants and may affect ongoing proceedings in the Louis Berger matter.
Timeline
5 Events
May 4, 2026: Goa High Court relief decision
May 4, 2026
The Bombay High Court at Goa granted relief to former Goa CM Digambar Kamat and former PWD minister Churchill Alemao, setting aside the cognisance order dated July 21, 2018 on the grounds that no prior sanction under Section 197(1) CrPC was obtained; ED conceded the absence of sanction at the hearing.
July 21, 2018: Special Court takes cognisance of ED ECIR
July 21, 2018
The Special Court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act took cognisance of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) filed by the ED against Digambar Kamat and Churchill Alemao; ED had not obtained prior sanction from the government as required under Section 197 CrPC.
2015: US plea by Louis Berger Group officials sparks Goa probe
2015
Two top officials of Louis Berger Group pleaded guilty before a US Court for offering bribes of $3.9 million to secure contracts in Asia, including India; this admission led to a Goa crime branch probe naming Kamat and Alemao as prime accused.
2015: ED attachment of assets worth ₹1.95 crore
2015
The Enforcement Directorate attached moveable and immoveable properties worth ₹1.95 crore belonging to Digambar Kamat and Churchill Alemao.
2015: Pre-dawn raids and document seizure
2015
Kamat and Alemao were raided in pre-dawn home visits in 2015; several financial documents were seized as part of the case against them.