PANAJI
Amid a major reshuffle among officers -- from Police Sub Inspectors right up to the Deputy Superintendents of Police, an important question looms large, what about the replacements for the three IPS officers who were transferred to Delhi and have also assumed their new postings?
Deputy Inspector General of Police Aslam Khan, along with Superintendents of Police Nidhin Valsan and Abhishek Dhani, were relocated to Delhi as part of a major reshuffle among AGMUT officers on January 29. Sources said these officers were abruptly relieved on February 10 while their replacements Rohit Rajbir Singh and Rahul Gupta -- transferred from Arunachal Pradesh “ are yet to be relieved by its government.
While Goa Police has made temporary arrangements by assigning Traffic SP Akshat Kaushal as the North Goa in charge, the officer holds three other charges, including Crime Branch, Central Procurement Cell, and the Cyber Crime Cell. SP Sunita Sawant has been assigned the South SP charge.
On the other hand, with DIG Aslam Khan’s transfer, the two DIG posts remain vacant. Khan was holding a dual charge following DIG A Koan’s suspension in August 2023 over allegations of inappropriate behaviour with a woman at a late-night party in a Baga pub.
Seven months into his suspension, The Goan has reliably learnt that the Ministry of Home Affairs has extended his suspension period. He continues to report to the police headquarters in Panaji until further orders. “Koan is set to face an inquiry, ordered by the MHA... For now proceedings are underway to initiate an inquiry,” a senior officer said.
In the recent past, the State has witnessed disturbing incidents, ranging from two attempted murders in Sattari and Ponda of a toddler and a young woman to cyber fraud cases. With the government ensuring strengthening the force, the missing replacements have been left unanswered.
"There was a verbal proposal to the government to relieve the three IPS officers once the two IPS officers take over their postings in Goa... Nevertheless, the department is managing with the available officers,” a senior officer stated.
The Goan reached out to Director General of Police Jaspal Singh for a comment on the matter. However, he declined to speak while only stating they were waiting for the two IPS officers to assume their duties in Goa.
