Reports incident to MHA; IGP asked to cut short US vacation, return immediately
PANAJI
The Goa government has reportedly initiated a move to transfer Director General of Police (DGP) Jaspal Singh with a report to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) seeking his ouster with immediate effect. At the same time, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Omvir Singh has been asked to cut short his vacation in San Francisco and return to India immediately.
Official sources confirmed to The Goan that Singh, who is on a month-long vacation from June 15, had his leave approved by the government – before the entire controversy over the Assagao house demolition erupted.
However, due to the growing demand for DGP Singh’s transfer, sources stated that the government sought his immediate transfer while asking IGP to report back to Goa early next week.
“Government is looking at a stop-gap arrangement. IGP might be given additional charge of DGP once Singh is transferred, if any, and a new DGP takes over,” the source said. The government is also urging the MHA to fill some high-ranking vacancies to ensure smooth functioning, especially with the implementation of three new criminal laws in Goa starting July 1.
The posts of two Deputy Inspector Generals have been vacant for months following the suspension of DIG A Koan last year and the transfer of Aslam Khan in February.
During a brief interaction on Friday, DGP Singh spoke about the department’s unsuccessful attempts to contact PI Desai. “I have tried to connect with the PI but couldn’t reach him. I also asked the North SP (Akshat Kaushal) to also try to contact him,” he said in response to questions about why the department wasn’t asking the PI to confirm if it was his statement.
POINTS TO PONDER
- In a desperate move by some top officers in the department, reliable sources have revealed that a police officer was discreetly tasked with persuading some opposition leaders to either stay silent or tone down their criticism against DGP Jaspal Singh
- With Goa Police casting doubt on the unverified, unsigned statement of the suspended PI Prashal Desai, officials within the department have struck back with a crucial clarification: under Section 161(3) of the CrPC, a statement need not necessarily bear a signature to carry weight. “In disciplinary or preliminary inquiry proceedings, it’s standard for statements to be signed. However, these quasi-judicial processes also recognise the validity of unsigned statements,” a source stated
- The Mamlatdar Office could face scrutiny as a mutation for the Assagao structure, applied on October 7 was allegedly approved within 24 hours. Countless other mutations remain pending for months even years under rigorous inquiry and hearings if required
- Calangute Police Inspector Paresh Naik has been given the additional charge of Anjuna Police Station following the suspension of PI Prashal Desai
