PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has come down heavily on the Opposition for questioning the integrity of the government and the police department in connection with Suleman Siddique Khan’s viral video while promising a thorough investigation into its origin.
“Will the word of a thief be accepted as truth just because he wants to come out of cases against him? He may accuse anyone in the department or even an MLA. The source of the video, who it was sent to, from where it was sent and who is behind it will be investigated. Are they trying to protect Suleman?” Sawant said on Prudent Media’s Head On.
Sawant, who also holds the Home portfolio, was responding to concerns raised over the reputation of the police department after recent incidents involving police personnel.
Asked whether he was ‘seriously worried’ about the department’s image, Sawant said, “action has already been taken against IRB constable Amit Naik and others involved will also face consequences.”
Recalling the formation of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on land grab cases, he took a dig at the Opposition claiming the latter ridiculed it. “Yet, the SIT registered 100-200 cases and exposed massive land fraud wherein both private and government properties were illegally grabbed,” the CM added.
Referring to Suleman’s involvement in several cases of land grab, Sawant accused the opposition of supporting him. “Now, like ‘bhakts’ (followers) they are dancing around with his photo. Is he their relative? Or are they planning to take him into their party fold? The Opposition seems to believe the allegations of a thief. Who are they trying to protect?” he asked.
Sawant assured the public that Suleman would be brought to justice. “He will 100 percent be caught. Once that happens, everything will be revealed. My team is working on it,” he said.
A visibly upset CM also questioned the Opposition’s silence when Suleman was arrested after over four years of evading the law and three months of intense investigation by the SIT. He further stated that there was no opposition reaction when Suleman’s illegal property was demolished at Mapusa.
When asked about the likely connivance of other police personnel in Suleman’s escape, Sawant conceded the possibility with an assurance of accountability. “There may be some within the police department but action will be taken,” he said.
