PANAJI
Nearly 15 years after he was arrested for accepting illegal gratification from the sibling of an alleged Israeli drug peddler – only to be acquitted later – Police Inspector Sunil Gudlar has once again landed in trouble with Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) arresting him in a bribery case.
In a late Monday night operation that stretched till around 4 am on Tuesday, the ACB officers raided the Konkan Railway police station in Margao. PI Gudlar and Head Constable Hussain were caught with Rs 25,000 cash, allegedly an advance payment from the complainant – a goat meat trader.
As per details shared with the media, the licensed meat trader from Belgaum who supplies meat to Goa, submitted a written complaint and audio evidence implicating the police officials. According to the complaint, PI Gudlar, through his subordinate Hussain, demanded Rs 2 lakh as a lump sum bribe and an additional Rs 25,000 monthly to allow continue his meat trade operations in Goa.
Superintendent of Police (ACB) Nelson Albuquerque, supervising the probe, said that the trader was threatened with arrest if he failed to comply. “The complainant informed us that Gudlar sent a message through Hussain demanding Rs 2 lakh and a monthly payment of Rs 25,000. He was threatened with being falsely implicated in an illegal meat smuggling case,” the SP said.
Based on the complainant’s recordings and written complaint, an FIR was registered and a trap was laid. The bribe transaction was conducted inside the PI’s own office where the ACB team caught the duo red-handed. The cash was recovered from the PI’s drawer.
Albuquerque further revealed that the recorded evidence directly captured PI Gudlar’s voice, which will be crucial to substantiate his involvement in the extortion attempt.
The complaint originated from a case filed by the Konkan Railway police station on March 30, accusing unidentified persons of smuggling meat illegally. The ACB confirmed that Hussain had travelled to Belgaum to persuade the meat trader to meet the PI in Margao and “settle” the issue.
“The trader said he had no connection to the seized consignment and insisted that he operates with a valid licence. Despite this, Gudlar and Hussain allegedly threatened to frame him in the same case unless he complied with their demands,” the SP added.
Both accused cops were produced before the court for remand. The ACB also recommended the department for their immediate suspension pending further investigation.
