In a shocking development, Siddiqui alias Suleman Khan, a convict in several high-profile cases and accused in land grabbing cases escaped from the Crime Branch lock-up in Ribandar in the wee hours of Friday. Siddiqui not only holds notoriety for being booked in various cases but had been absconding for four and a half years before his arrest last month. What is more alarming is that an IRB constable facilitated his escape.
The incident raises alarming questions about the integrity of our law enforcement and the systems that are in place to ensure that justice is both served and safeguarded. This shocking event not only exposes grave vulnerabilities within the police department but also casts doubt on the effective management of individuals accused of serious crimes, including land grabbing and even murder.
Siddiqui has a history of being a “hardened criminal” and at least going by his record of being a repeat offender having eluded arrest for years needed a tighter protocol. His escape due to the alleged conspiracy of an insider raises questions of corruption, negligence, and a worrying degree of operational lethargy within the police force. These are glaring signs that there are not enough safeguards or protocols in handling tough criminals. A law enforcement system that allows complete access and command of sensitive areas to a low-ranking staff without any secondary checks and balances speaks of the hollowness of that system.
Suleman Khan is not the first escape case that Goa has heard of. In the past 4-5 years there have been nearly six cases where criminals have given the police the slip. Such failures cast a long shadow over community trust in law enforcement. Citizens expect that the police are not only agents of law and order but also protectors of their rights and safety. When residents see repeated failures to detain criminals effectively, it fosters cynicism and resentment, which can undermine public cooperation with police efforts. And when policemen facilitate the escape of criminals, the trust in policing collapses.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police’s promise of strict criminal and disciplinary action is an insipid consolation because it is a reactionary measure to a situation that should never have occurred in the first place. What the incident has now done is jeopardised the integrity of the police force as a whole, bringing down a lot of good that some senior officers, including the Crime Branch SP, had done in recent days. It gets worse when the suspicion escalates to a different level where questions are being raised whether the law enforcement apparatus allows certain individuals favourable treatment while in detention.
The police leadership faces the monumental task of steering out of the situation and restoring the confidence of the people of Goa. This incident calls for a comprehensive examination of how detainees are monitored and secured. A reactive approach is insufficient, the need is of proactive measures to bolster the integrity of law enforcement systems. Strengthening internal controls, enhancing staff training, and leveraging technology can improve security protocols to mitigate future risks.
The escape of Suleman Khan, as seen in the footage appeared to be a breeze and well orchestrated. It serves as a grim reminder that law enforcement needs urgent reform and cannot proceed with such lax handling. Policing is always a thankless job, and a slip-up in one area can bring the rank and file into disrepute. Senior officers should be mindful of the implications because the damage done through this slip-up cannot be undone with the evening arrest of the constable at Hubballi or the probable re-arrest of ‘on-the-run’ Suleman.
