PANAJI
The State government has often taken pride in highlighting the Goa police’s impressive detection rate underscoring their exceptional professionalism.
But there’s a noticeable shift. The ‘elite force’ has recently found itself entangled in a series of questionable controversies and the recent being ‘drunk’ Deputy Inspector General A Koan's alleged misbehaviour at a party.
Director General of Police Jaspal Singh was on Thursday quick to react to reports on Koan, asking people not to judge the IPS officers. “Don’t judge officers of IPS based on isolated instances of misdemeanour. They come out of long, arduous and meticulous training to serve the nation. They have sacrificed lives at the altar of nation and are fighting terrorism, insurgency and naxalism and daily crime,” read his social media post.
While all IPS officers might not consider Goa as a holiday destination, there have been instances that embarrassed the department. The bitter truth is also that despite numerous high-ranking IPS officers falling under scrutiny in the recent past, none faced any form of disciplinary action. Instead, they were transferred out of Goa.
In 2013, allegations surfaced against former Inspector General of Police Sanjay Singh about misusing his official car while frequenting late-night parties. A photograph showing his “female foreign friend” driving the car was circulated on a social networking platform that triggered displeasure from the then Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar, who then sought the Ministry of Home Affairs’ intervention to have IPS Singh removed from his post in Goa.
Singh had also developed a reputation for frequenting parties in the coastal region and had purportedly shown reluctance in addressing a shooting incident that occurred at a shack in Morjim, despite being personally present at the scene. The matter was referred to the anti-corruption branch of the vigilance department for a thorough investigation with the report still under wraps.
Another incident involved a former IGP when he was honey-trapped and blackmailed. There were allegations that to meet the woman’s extortion demands, he coerced his subordinate officers into collecting money for him using any means necessary. He was subsequently transferred without action.
Ex-IGP Sunil Garg, ex-DIG Vimal Gupta and ex-SP Devesh Mahla were among a few others whose conduct while serving in Goa Police left the force red-faced. Gupta faced allegations of bribery to clear and close DEs against various junior officers. All these officers were transferred sans action.
