PANAJI
A police station barracks turned into the site of alleged custodial brutality, with the Goa Human Rights Commission finding prima facie evidence that five personnel illegally detained and assaulted five persons, including a minor. The Commission has recommended Rs 20,000 compensation for each victim and disciplinary proceedings against the errant police personnel.
In its inquiry report on Wednesday, the Commission of Chairperson (retd) Justice Bharat Deshpande and members Desmond D’Costa and Pramod Kamat said the five were illegally detained by the Maina-Curtorim police without any FIR, station diary entry or legal authority. Also, they were kept in the barracks as the police station has no lock-up.
The Commission described the action as “brutal” and said such conduct could erode public confidence in the police.
The incident occurred during the intervening night of June 6-7, when the five persons were kept at the police station and allegedly assaulted. The Commission examined the statements of the victims, medical records and CCTV footage produced by the police.
According to the inquiry report, the victims alleged that between 10.30 pm and 3 am, PSI Sanket Naik, PSI Gaurav Naik, Head Constable Samir Sudhir, and Police Constables Pundalik Parit and Chetan Koli wrongfully confined them in the male barrack, assaulted them, subjected the victims to indecent acts and demanded money for their release.
The Commission noted that the five were released only on the morning of June 7.
“The medical examination conducted at South Goa District Hospital later that day recorded histories of assault at Maina-Curtorim Police Station. The medical records showed that the five had sustained abrasions, bruises, tenderness and swelling,” the Commission said.
It further noted that since Maina-Curtorim Police Station does not have a police lock-up, the accused persons are generally kept at Margao Police Station. “In the present case, all were illegally detained and kept in the barracks, where police used to take rest,” the Commission observed.
The police station’s then inspector had submitted a confidential report against PSI Sanket Naik and PC Chetan Koli after learning about the alleged assault and indecent acts. Koli was suspended on June 8, followed by the suspension of Sudhir and Parit on June 11. PSIs Gaurav and Sanket were suspended on June 12, pending inquiry.
“There is prima facie material indicating gross misconduct by the five police personnel in wrongfully confining and assaulting the victims. Such illegal action of the police will certainly erode the faith and confidence of the public in the system and otherwise restrain the public from approaching the police for their grievances,” the Commission said, adding that deterrence was necessary to prevent misuse of authority.
Superintendent of Police (South) and the Police Inspector, Maina-Curtorim Police Station have been recommended to pay compensation of Rs 20,000 each to the five victims within 30 days; and place on record disciplinary proceedings report against the five personnel. So also, an action-taken report or proposed to be taken be submitted by October 5.
