The Home Department has asked the police leadership to examine a complaint seeking a review of the Chief Minister’s Gold Medal awarded to an officer at the Liberation Day function in 2025. Last month, the Goa Police faced another embarrassment when six Police Inspectors (PIs) were demoted to the rank of Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) after the High Court ruled that promotions should not be granted while criminal proceedings are pending against officers. In yet another surprise, 19 officers were promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police, despite some of them having a dubious record. These developments reveal a disturbing pattern that raises a significant question mark over the department’s integrity and its protocols.
SP Sagar Ekoskar has been accused in several cases of assault, including those against women, and has been labelled as a “highly controversial officer” in the complaint letter. The officer was earlier suspended for misbehaving with a senior officer in 2011. The question is, how does such an officer qualify for a medal? Rather, on what basis did the department choose Ekoskar for the Chief Minister’s medal?
For a better understanding, the Chief Minister’s Medal, instituted in 1992, was with the singular purpose of boosting the morale of police personnel for their exceptional service, bravery, and dedication, and comes as a badge of honour for unblemished records or high-calibre investigative work. It’s a State award and hence carries a lot of weight, both in terms of service record and recognition. What is surprising is not that there is a protest over Ekoskar’s award, but the fact that the officer’s credentials do not match the prescribed criteria. The mismatch raises serious questions because it is unfair on someone deserving. The police department has several capable and hardworking personnel, many of them working behind the scenes and have gone unnoticed.
Secondly, police promotion practices have also come under intense scrutiny. In January 2026, six Police Inspectors were demoted to the rank of Police Sub-Inspectors following a Bombay High Court directive that promotions should not be granted to officers with pending criminal cases. This again is a clear systemic flaw. How were they promoted in the first place?
Thirdly, last month, 19 officers were promoted to the SP rank despite some of them holding questionable records. One officer was suspended in 2021 in connection with an attack at a nightclub in Calangute, and was pulled up in three other cases. Another officer was transferred over the recent Shirgao Zatra stampede that left six dead and several injured, plus an earlier case of disproportionate assets against him. Yet another officer was suspended in 2011 for harassing a constable while in the Crime Branch. The constable had committed suicide and blamed him in his dying declaration. One officer was suspended in 2010 in the police-drug-politician nexus case involving Atala, Dudu, and others. He was also among the 10 cops arrested then. Three others have faced disciplinary action and faced inquiries.
When tainted officers are rewarded, it erodes the morale of promising or diligent officers and diminishes the value of the award itself. Allowing personal connections or political influence to override merit would mean injustice to the many who are sincerely looking forward to building their careers. There has to be a serious review of the systems and protocols. Merit, fair assessment and transparency have to be the basis on which awards are decided. Upholding integrity isn’t just about policies on paper, it’s about inculcating a honest and upright culture. The credibility of the awards and those adjudicating are at stake, and the grey areas are showing.
