PANAJI
The audacious escape of notorious fraudster Suleman Siddiqui Khan has now become a litmus test for Goa Police as allegations of negligent record-keeping and lapses in custody by sentries raise serious questions.
Irregular attendance by guards has come under scrutiny. Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar has ordered an inquiry into the alleged breach with recent promotee, Superintendent of Police (SP) (EOC) Arshi Adil assigned the task.
“The EOC SP is conducting an inquiry,” DGP Kumar told The Goan.
Reliable sources to The Goan revealed that the mandatory lock-up register, which should document every detail of an accused’s custody, was not maintained. “The register should include the accused’s identity, movement for meals, medical check-ups, guards escorting them, etc. It was the absence of such records which ex-IRB constable Amit Naik exploited to plan Suleman’s escape,” the source said.
Shockingly, the lock-up, which requires four personnel -- a head constable (known as commander) and three constables -- was allegedly understaffed not only on the day of the escape within CB premises but on other occasions as well. Irregular shift duties and incomplete diary entries by on-duty guards have further added to the alleged oversight.
It is also learnt that an accused under the Crime Branch or Special Investigation Team (SIT) is often lodged in the Panaji police station lock-up as it doesn’t have a designated facility. Whether proper procedures were followed in this case or if superiors were misguided will now be part of the fresh inquiry.
