Panaji: The photos of actor Kapil Jhaveri with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gaude have gone viral triggering a spell of embarrassment for the ruling political dispensation.
Jhaveri, a small time Bollywood actor and a director of a co-operative society, was arrested in a rave party at a North Goa beach village on Sunday.
However, Mr Gaude tweeted, “My photo alongside Kapil Jhaveri is made viral with false info. He had sought an appointment to invite me for the inauguration of a branch of a Credit Society. As a Minister of Co-operation, I refrain from any act of endorsement. I had refused the invitation on these grounds.”
Later, speaking to reporters he said he was a “public figure” and many people come to meet him and that there was no scope for examining everyone’s background.
“I have spoken to the Chief Minister. He has informed me that the police have been given a free hand to investigate the case... It is my prime duty to co-operate with the police,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Union Minister Ramakant Khalap said he knew nothing about Jhaveri except that he was an actor.
“I was introduced to Mr Zaveri by a common friend. They requested a photograph and i obliged.. Such requests for a photograph are routine .. I know nothing about the gentleman except that he is a cine actor,” he said. (UNI)