Louis Berger graft case: Bribe was paid, says Goa Police

Goa Police today said prima facie it has come to light that "bribe was paid" by a US firm for a water developmental project in the state.
"The instance of corruption has been proved in this case through judgement of the US court. There is no doubt that bribe was paid," Inspector General of Police Sunil Garg told reporters here after the state Crime Branch yesterday filed an FIR against an unidentified minister and officials of US-based company Louis Berger under Anti-Corruption Act.
When asked if the FIR was against one minister or more, Garg said, "It is some minister or it can be ministers too."

The investigations are currently at preliminary stage, but the FIR has been filed after going through the documents, including a judgement of the US court, he said.
Preliminary reports of the inquiry are ready and "now police will start summoning and questioning various people," the IG said.
"Summons would be issued to whoever is connected with the case. We will put in our best efforts to investigate this case and for which we will even take the help of Interpol or the Ministry of External Affairs," he said.

Garg ruled out custodial interrogation in the case at this juncture calling it "as premature to ask for such level of investigation."

US-based Louis Berger company has been fined by New Jersey court for bribing Indian officials and a minister to win consultancy for projects in Goa and Guwahati which are under Japanese funding initiative.
When asked whether company officials would be treated as accused or witnesses in the entire case, Garg said the police are exploring all possible angles.
"They can be accused or even witnesses," the IGP said.
The FIR has been registered under IPC Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against an unknown former Goa minister and Louis Berger officials.