PANAJI
A fierce rivalry between some IPS officers has spiralled into a desperate scramble for accolades, leaving the department’s higher-ups in a tricky situation.
What began as a routine gambling raid on the third floor of a Naikawado (Calangute) apartment took a shocking turn.
In the chaotic wee hour raid on August 11-12, one of the alleged gamblers was ‘accidentally’ hurled from the building. The man, identified as Fakirappa Bramanan, aged 50, plummeted to the ground in a dramatic twist that could haunt the force, at least until the next controversy.
Credible sources revealed to The Goan that upon realizing the gravity of the situation, a Superintendent of Police hastily called for an ambulance. At the same time, the remaining 23 accused persons were rounded up and taken to the Crime Branch office in Ribandar.
While this dramatic episode has spotlighted Goa Police’s attempts to curb illegal activities in the State, there was another revelation -- the Cyber Crime Cell and not the Crime Branch spearheaded the raid.
Sources added that initial reports reaching the Chief Minister’s Office hinted at a fatal outcome prompting an immediate inquiry to ascertain facts. “CM Pramod Sawant was initially informed that one of the accused had died during the raid. A senior officer was then directed to find out what exactly happened. It was soon clarified that a man had ‘accidentally fallen’ from the building but miraculously survived with serious injuries,” the source disclosed. Bramanan is now recovering from leg fractures at Asilo Hospital. Whether the victim will lodge a complaint remains uncertain.
Sources further revealed that some of those arrested were local residents. “The arrested persons included gamblers placing bets as well as locals who were asked to fetch drinks and snacks,” the source added. All are charged with gambling, albeit released on bail soon thereafter. The raid saw the seizure of gambling articles and cash to the tune of Rs 3 lakh.
