Panaji, Nov 29 (TOI): The directorate of vigilance on Monday permitted the anti-corruption branch (ACB) to dispatch a team outside the state to investigate the companies that had granted crores of rupees in loans to opposition leader and Quepem Congress MLA, Chandrakant Kavlekar.

The ACB, which is probing a Rs 4.8-crore disproportionate assets case involving the legislator, found Kavlekar had obtained another Rs 5.5 crore through unsecured loans from various companies. It had stated that of the total amount, the Congressman had taken Rs 1.7 crore from Akshit Exports, Rs 3 crore from Vibha Star and Rs 80 lakh from Prime Star.

ACB SP Bosco George said a team will investigate entities that granted Kavlekar the loans without collateral. "We are in the process of verifying these companies," he told TOI.

Two months ago, the ACB had registered an FIR against Kavlekar in the case. It had also booked his wife, Savitri, for abetting the crime as she is a director in his companies. The branch had then searched Kavlekar's residence and party office at Quepem, and his commercial establishments in Margao.

In 2013, the ACB had received information that Kavlekar, the then chairman of the Goa Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC), had acquired 14 landed properties in Kerala worth crores of rupees, but failed to disclose it before the Lokayukta. Investigations revealed Kavlekar had acquired most of the properties between January 1, 2007 and April 4, 2013, which has been termed the 'check period'.

"During the check period, Kavlekar's declared income was found to be over Rs 8.8 crore, while his declared expenditure was over Rs 87.88 lakh. It is therefore likely that his savings amounted to only Rs 7.2 crore. Kavlekar had, however, acquired property worth over Rs 12.5 crore. Upon calculation, his total disproportionate assets during that duration were found to be worth Rs 4.78 crore," George had said.