Punishment must be proportionate: DGP on action against policeman

PANAJI

Amid public criticism over the custodial assault of 37-year-old Navelim resident Edberg Pereira, Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar on Monday said the inquiry against the suspended policeman is still underway and any disciplinary action must be proportionate and based on findings of the investigation.

“The Margao custodial assault is under inquiry. The punishment given should be proportionate. It should not be that wherever there is a mistake, the person is automatically punished. That is a matter of inquiry,” the DGP told reporters at Police Headquarters.

The department has suspended police sub-inspector Nilesh Shirvoikar for allegedly assaulting Pereira in custody at Margao Police Station a week back. A First Information Report was subsequently registered against him under Section 117(2) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) and Section 198 (public servant disobeying law with intent to cause injury) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

But this has not stopped Pereira’s family and activists from seeking strict action against the PSI and other police personnel who were present at the time of the incident.

DGP Kumar explained that when the department handling the inquiry controls the punishment, it should be given according to discipline and authority.

He further stressed that while misconduct is dealt with strictly, the force should not be judged by the actions of a few.

“We have around 7,000 officers. Not everyone is involved in wrongdoing. We have also honoured around 50 officers every month. During our retiree functions, 50–60 police personnel are recognised for their good work,” he said adding, “Our police are doing an excellent job day and night, and we need to highlight that. But the wrong elements, if they do anything illegal, are punished severely.”

The case was initially filed as a non-cognisable offence under Sections 115(2) and 198 of BNS, but was converted into a cognisable offence following sanction from the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Margao.