PANAJI
The Goa Police have launched a preliminary inquiry into allegations of sexual harassment involving two head constables Anil Betkikar and Sudan Shelapkar, who were posted at the Police Training School (PTS) in Valpoi.
The inquiry follows complaints against them with the Training Office. Director General of Police Alok Kumar took decisive action after receiving complaints/initial reports about their conduct.
“A complaint was received, and the two alleged police personnel have been transferred out of PTS. A preliminary inquiry has been ordered,” Kumar confirmed, speaking to The Goan. Both are now posted at Goa Reserve Police (Altinho), as per the order by SP Police Headquarters Nelson Albuquerque.
A female recruit at PTS Valpoi accused her superiors including an outdoor instructor of harassment and intimidation. In separate complaints filed by duty staff, Moinuddin Khwaja, on behalf of the victim, makes serious revelations about how she was put under tremendous pressure during the ongoing training period.
The first complaint dated August 6 accused ‘unauthorised outdoor instructor’ Anil, of allegedly harassing the recruit through abusive phone calls, inappropriate messages and offensive comments.
In a separate complaint dated August 12, Sudan, who already faces a pending departmental inquiry and allegations of misconduct, is accused of shielding his colleague and threatening the recruit over her previous complaint against Anil.
Sources further revealed to The Goan that one of these hawaldars threatened the recruit with self-harm if any adverse departmental action was taken against him, and claimed she would be responsible for his family. The police higher-ups have assured the matter is being treated with utmost seriousness to prevent any recurrence of such incidents.
Meanwhile, the DGP’s visit on Friday also included discussions with staff and a review of training practices. “I visited (the PTS) for an interaction with the staff and overall stocktaking for improvement in outdoor and indoor training activities qualitatively especially in methodology and training tools,” Kumar said.
