PANAJI
A high-level inquiry into allegations of bigamy, cheating, and fraud against PSI Narayan Pinge failed to yield results but a series of flawed investigation reports eventually did with an FIR also registered against him. One of the errant officers within the department, PSI Pinge was suspended on Wednesday for misappropriating 15 case papers related to FIRs registered at Ponda police station.
Sources revealed to The Goan that Pinge, now booked under section 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant) of the Indian Penal Code, had misled his superiors by falsely claiming to have disposed of/charge-sheeted the cases he had probed as an Investigating Officer. These cases included fatal accidents, assault, cheating, etc; all investigated by him while posted at Ponda Police Station.
However, it is reliably learnt that these papers were never sent to the Court for further legal proceedings. “Despite his claims of disposing of the matter, the assigned case numbers from the Court were found to be fake upon cross-verification by the department,” revealed the source.
It is further learnt that an internal inquiry followed and the higher-ups imposed severe penalties on PSI Pinge including withholding of three increments. Taking cognizance of the seriousness of the matter, the department then directed his suspension and FIR against him.
Among a few allegations along with complaints against him, one case involved allegations of bigamy, fraud, cheating, possession of disproportionate assets, and violation of conduct rules, as revealed in a departmental inquiry headed by Superintendent of Police Sucheta Dessai.
This inquiry was ordered when a woman from Vasco, accused him of cheating her on the pretext of marriage and fraud. It also revealed that PSI Pinge, already married, wed the victim on January 6, 2021, in a ceremony in Sancoale and this was confirmed by the temple priest who conducted the marriage ceremony to the inquiry officer.
The 13-page inquiry report, supported by relevant documents and electronic evidence, recommended disciplinary action, yet action from the superiors concerned was awaited.
