It’s been a year since Chandru Gawas’ demise. Death by Ratol consumedat his place of work “ the Dona Paula police station. You would think as apolice driver, the system would have worked faster. Perish the thought. LaxmanGawas, the grief stricken father, has just one question for the police force inthe state. “When he died, the investigation was conducted in such a haphazardmanner. What does the police intend to achieve if they conduct an investigationnow?”
Clearly, it is impossible for the Goa Police to investigate the caseof abetment against another police officer. Laxman Gawas said this case shouldbe handed over to the CBI for a free and fair investigation. “Only then will allthe instigators be exposed and punished,” Gawas said.
The Goan met the family at home in Nadoda, which is 25 kms fromPanjim.
Chandru’s brother, 38-year-old Kamlakant Gawas said “My brotherhad mentioned in his dying declaration that there were more senior officers whohad harassed him. He told me this as he breathed his last. Unfortunately he didnot name them but a clean investigation will certainly bring everything out”.
Kamlakant said that when they approached the (then) SP North,Arvind Gawas, who is from the same village, he directed them to the PI Panjim.
The father cannot get his head around the fact that his sonconsumed poison eight days after his engagement and a week after the date ofhis marriage was finalised.
OnAugust 2, 2012,the state government placed Praveen Kumar Vast, PI of Crime Branch, under suspension in theChandru Gawas suicide case. CM Manohar Parrikar told the state legislativeassembly that the investigation would be conducted and the guilty charge-sheetedwithin 60 days. “For a free and fair investigation police has decided to keephim under suspension” chief minister said.
Goansdon’t just seek answers. They seek closure. What transpired, that would turnrecently engaged policeman into someone who committed suicide? The least thatGoa expects is that his dying declaration should become an arrest warrant forthose who led him to his death.
