Party disappointed by 'lack of action' in case
Prominent citizens of Canacona in discussion with Canacona PI Harish Raut Desai over the assault on AAP leader Sandesh Telekar.
Photo Credits: The Goan
MARGAO
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has escalated its demand for the suspension and arrest of Canacona Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Rajshekar Reddy in connection with the assault on AAP leader Sandesh Telekar.
In response to the pressure, District Police Chief SP Tikam Singh has transferred PSI Reddy to the South Goa police headquarters and ordered an inquiry into the matter.
An AAP delegation, which included Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas, Valmiki Naik, Prashant Naik, Roque Mascarenhas, and others, called on SP Singh and submitted a memorandum demanding action against Reddy. AAP Velim MLA Cruz Silva also met Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the Home portfolio, and handed over a similar memorandum.
The delegation expressed their disappointment over the "lack of action" by the police. "This incident occurred on Sunday night, and as of Monday noon, no action had been taken against the PSI. Our MLA had contacted the district police chief on Sunday night, but we are surprised by the inaction," they said.
The delegation added, “The least we expected from the district police chief was the suspension and the commencement of an inquiry. We will not remain silent until justice is served to our leader.”
Naik said that the AAP delegation had given the police two days to conclude the inquiry and take necessary action, and they planned to return to the SP office on Wednesday.
Later in the day, SP Tikam Singh announced that PSI Reddy would be transferred to the district headquarters and an inquiry would be conducted by senior police officer Sagar Ekoskar.
"I have ordered an inquiry into the incident. We will take further action after the inquiry report is submitted to me," Singh said.
Prominent citizens demand strict action against PSI
CANACONA: Several prominent citizens from Canacona gathered at Canacona police station to demand strict action against PSI Rajshekar Reddy, after accusing him of assaulting AAP leader Sandesh Telekar on Sunday afternoon.
According to sources, Telekar was informed that three staff of his friend had been rounded up by police and were detained at Canacona police station on Sunday morning.
In the absence of Canacona Police Inspector Harish Raut Desai, Telekar reportedly approached PSI Reddy for clarification on the detention. It is alleged that PSI Reddy became abusive, and instructed Telekar to leave the station, and an argument ensued. The situation escalated when PSI Reddy allegedly assaulted Telekar, confiscated his mobile phone, and detained him in the police cell.
On learning about the assault and detention, some of Telekar’s close associates rushed to the police station and began to confront the PSI concerned. “This PSI talked to us rudely and asked us to go away,” said Shyamsunder Desai.
Later, retired headmaster Shantaji Naik Gaunkar, former Canacona MLA Vijay Poi Khot, NGO Goenkar President Jack Fernandes and Councillor Pandurang (Dhiraj) Naik Gaunkar reached the police station.
“PSI Reddy admitted having assaulted Telekar and apologised for the incident, before allowing Telekar to leave the police station,” Dessai added.
On Monday, several prominent people gathered at Canacona police station, demanding strict action against PSI Reddy and any enquiry into the assault on the AAP leader.
Seeking to know how PSI Reddy, who is on probation period, could assault someone like Telekar, they warned that if action is not taken against the cop within 24 hours, people would block the national highway in protest.
Canacona Police Station Inspector Harish Raut Desai discussed the demands of the protesters with his seniors DySP (Quepem) and Superintendent of Police (South) Tikam Singh Verma and later assured that PSI Reddy would be moved out of Canacona and an internal inquiry would be set up to probe the actions of the PSI.
