Calls for criminal proceedings against five policemen
MARGAO
Even as the Goa Police top brass has finally suspended all five policemen allegedly involved in the Maina-Curtorim police brutality case, a contentious question continues to confront the department: Will the police register an FIR against the accused personnel?
The police department on Friday suspended Police Sub-Inspectors Gaurav Naik and Sankeet Naik, taking the number of policemen placed under suspension in the case to five, including a head constable and two police constables.
However, statements made by the victims suggest that the alleged misconduct went far beyond custodial assault. The victims have alleged that they were subjected to torture, forced to undress and expose their private parts, and compelled to engage in unnatural sexual acts while in police custody.
The case has assumed added significance as one of the victims is a minor boy. This has raised questions over whether the Maina-Curtorim police violated safeguards available to minors under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and juvenile justice norms. Concerns have also been raised over why the minor was allegedly detained at the police station for several hours and subjected to brutality.
When The Goan sought clarification from South Goa Superintendent of Police Shekar Prabhudesai on the status of the criminal investigation against the five suspended policemen, he said the department has ordered a departmental inquiry into the matter.
Prabhudesai further stated that additional action, including the registration of an offence, would be considered based on the findings of the inquiry. “Based on the outcome of the departmental inquiry, further action will be initiated in the matter, including registration of an offence,” he said.
Legal sources, however, questioned why the Maina-Curtorim police have not yet registered an FIR against the suspended personnel despite the seriousness of the allegations. “When the victims have alleged that they were not only subjected to brutality but were also forced to engage in unnatural sexual acts at the police station, the police ought to have initiated criminal proceedings against the accused officers,” remarked a criminal lawyer.
He further argued that suspension by itself does not constitute punishment.
“We have seen in the past how policemen were suspended and later reinstated after public attention faded. Suspension of the officers, including the two PSIs, a head constable and two constables, is not a punishment. Initially, only one constable was placed under suspension. That reflected the intent of the police leadership at the station as well as the Sub-Divisional Police Office in Margao,” he said.
Sources further pointed out that action against the two PSIs, the head constable and another constable appeared to gather momentum only after the Goa Human Rights Association took cognisance of the alleged police brutality at the Maina-Curtorim police station.
