the goan I network
PANAJI
Last week’s police raid at Morjim which busted a huge matka gambling network has ruffled feathers in the top echelons of the Goa police department, which is already under scrutiny of the Bombay High Court in a two-year-old gambling matter.
A special Investigative Team (SIT) constituted under Superintendent of Police Bossuet D’Silva on the court’s directions to investigate and unearth the state-wide matka gambling network, its nexus with the police and the political establishment is reportedly upset that the North Goa police swooped into action in Morjim without keeping it in the loop.
The raid also raises questions as to whether the SIT, which has to report its work to the High Court once every six months, is doing enough serious legwork to fulfill its mandate.
A team headed by North Goa Superintendent of Police Chandan Chaudary (IPS) had conducted the raid in Morjim, where a record Rs 60-lakhs in cash was seized and 11 persons including the owner of the premises arrested. The Pernem JMFC released them on bail a day later with provisions of the anti-Gambling laws said to be weak.
It now emerges that SP Chaudhary did not take into confidence many, if anyone from the top police hierarchy for obvious operational reasons. No sooner the success of the operation in Morjim came out in the public domain, Chaudhury had to face more brickbats than bouquets with reports circulating of imminent replacement as SP North.
There are also reports that a relative of a Goa Cabinet Minister is linked to the busted Morjim gambling network. The reports say he was present on the premises when it was raided but his name does not figure in the FIR.
Congress MLA Dayanand Sopte, in whose Mandrem constituency Morjim falls, has alleged that top ministers are backing the illegal gambling activity.
Matka gambling though illegal is popular in the State and came under the scanner of the Bombay High Court after social activist Kashinath Shetye and four other petitioners approached it some two years ago alleging it was widespread with politicians and cops backing it for monetary spin-offs.
The High Court after several hearings directed the police to book an FIR and constitute an SIT.
