PANAJI
This year has been anything but smooth for Goa Police as the disciplined force was mired in a series of controversies. From helping a notorious criminal escape from the lock-up to allegations of bribery and forgery, the department spent much of 2024 under scrutiny.
While it indeed made strides in tackling crime and further improving detection across criminal and cyber offences, its reputation was repeatedly tested by incidents that raised serious questions about integrity and accountability within the force.
The most sensational episode unfolded when Indian Reserve Battalion constable Amit Naik facilitated the escape of notorious criminal Suleman Siddiqui Khan from the SIT custody. Naik admitted to committing the offence, hoping to get Rs 3 crore, but ended up with nothing except disgrace.
Suleman was re-arrested after a marathon search although the incident left an indelible blot on the department’s record. DGP Alok Kumar is on record expressing disappointment that misconduct by some personnel had been diluting good work by the department. With Naik dismissed, and Suleman back in custody, inquiries and criminal probes are also underway.
Another controversy that rocked the force was the Assagao demolition case. The partial demolition of a disputed property snowballed into national news that ultimately led to the transfer of then-DGP Jaspal Singh.
Allegations flew thick and fast with suspended police inspector Prashal Desai allegedly accusing Singh of undue pressure to proceed with the demolition. The former DGP vehemently denied the allegations. While the case remains under investigation, there's little clarity on the roles of the alleged mastermind Pooja Sharma and others. Amid all this, Desai was recently reinstated.
Adding to the department’s woes, allegations of bribery and corruption surfaced within the Traffic Department. Assistant Sub-Inspector Samina Salgaonkar and two head constables were suspended after an inquiry into a complaint they themselves filed, claiming extortion threats over a video allegedly showing them accepting bribes. The complaint inadvertently triggered an inquiry and unearthed their own alleged misconduct.
More recently, Assistant Sub-Inspector Mohan Chopdekar and two constables Govind Mandrekar and Prashant Shetye faced suspension over allegations of extorting bribes from tourists. Backed by video evidence, the tourists’ complaint prompted swift action, but not before tarnishing the image of the department yet again.
In a bizarre turn of events, probationary constable Rajat Adpaikar was dismissed for manhandling his senior during a confrontation on Banastarim bridge. The probationary cop not only flouted traffic rules, flaunted his disregard for duty but also manhandled the ASI when caught for the traffic violation. This incident was coupled with the dismissal of constable Parshuram Satpalkar for allegedly forging documents to get a job in the department. There were also incidents when cops faced suspension for butchered probe and assault including the 'hit and run' of a labourer with jurisdiction of the offence also under debate.
