PANAJI
The registration of a First Information Report against Constable Nitesh Chodankar -- for allegedly forging medical certificates -- is a stark indicator that the Goa Police is now addressing a longstanding issue within its ranks.
However, this malpractice has been on the rise with The Goan reporting it first on February 3, 2023. Internal inquiries into some cases are ongoing whereas inquiries into a few others are complete pending necessary action.
Reliable police sources confirmed to The Goan that “some black sheep” in the department are audaciously forging certificates of government hospitals and health centres, including the signatures of Medical Officers (MO) and official rubber stamps.
Inquiries revealed that quite a few lower-ranking personnel are deeply involved in the serious misconduct and some even went to the extent of demanding money from their fellow cops towards forged medical certificates for extended leaves of up to two months or more.
In one instance, inquiry report that was submitted to police higher-ups, a constable allegedly demanded a minimum of Rs 500 for allegedly preparing and issuing forged Asilo District Hospital's certificates, forging the MO's signatures and the hospital’s stamp. Suspicion arose when certain personnel, who although had access to nearby health centers or government hospitals, submitted Asilo Hospital's certificates for their sick leave requests.
“Our investigation revealed that he had issued around a dozen certificates to fellow personnel who sought sick leave, even those residing far from Asilo Hospital and despite having health centres near their residences,” the source revealed.
Upon further inquiry, it surfaced that the cop's spouse is allegedly linked to the hospital owing to which he had access to certain information. Missing registration numbers on the forms, discrepancies in the rubber stamp and the signature raised red flags. All this evidence was documented and submitted to higher-ups for appropriate action.
“During the inquiry, we confronted the concerned doctors who confirmed that the personnel in question neither sought treatment from Asilo Hospital, nor had signed the forms which had the hospital's old stamp mark,” said the source.
