NT Reporter
Panaji
A controversy has emerged during the scrutiny of nomination forms for Ponda by-election, with objections raised against AAP candidate Geetesh Naik over alleged non-disclosure of a criminal case in his affidavit.
On behalf of Congress candidate Ketan Bhatikar, Aldona Congress MLA Adv Carlos Ferreira objected to Naik’s nomination, stating that he had suppressed information regarding an FIR registered against him.
Ferreira said the July 15, 2025, FIR, under Sections 316(2), 318(3) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, was registered at Kengeri Police Station, Bengaluru, in which Naik is accused No. 1. He said Naik had also filed a writ petition challenging the FIR.
“Right or wrong, he is bound to disclose this criminal case — voters must know that there is a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust filed against Geetesh, apart from the cheque bouncing cases (which he disclosed),” Ferreira said.
He said Naik’s lawyer sought time and that further hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday before the Returning Officer in Ponda.
Meanwhile, Naik launched an attack on the Congress, alleging that “bhatkars” were “plotting to suppress a Bhandari leader”.
Naik claimed that in 2012, when he contested the election, the same “Bhatkar lobby” had filed a false mining scam case against him, accusing him of a Rs 500 crore scam.
He stated that the Aam Aadmi Party trusted him and his vision to take forward the development of Ponda constituency.
