Writes to Goa CM, Tourism Minister and top police officials
PANAJI
In yet another serious allegation that could leave the Goa Police red-faced, a Ludhiana-based businessman has made a startling revelation about unchecked corruption occurring in plain sight on the busy streets.
The complainant, a victim of this alleged corruption, has accused some certain police personnel of blatantly demanding bribes from motorists, particularly tourists. The allegation surfaces amidst clear directives from the government and police higher-ups that tourists, without ‘visible traffic violation’ should not be harassed.
Entrepreneur Rajeev Jain chose to voice his grievances by reaching out to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, and the highest ranks of the police department recounting a troubling incident that transpired within the Old Goa Police Station’s jurisdiction on May 9, 2023.
His email complaint narrates how he was forced to part with Rs 2,000 by three police officials. Calling himself a concerned ‘well-wisher’ of Goa, Jain said he felt compelled to expose the corruption he encountered.
What’s further embarrassing for the department is that Jain claimed he witnessed the same personnel including a female Assistant Sub Inspector, extorting Rs 7,500 from motorists without issuing any traffic violations challan.
In his complaint, Jain explained that he was stopped by a policeman as the registration number of the rental car – that he was driving - needed to be visible on all four sides. To this, Jain promptly responded that it was not within his control as he was not the owner of the car. “I told them it was not my mistake and requested them to let me go but they compelled me to pay Rs 2,000 as a bribe,” he alleged.
While he tried in vain to convince the concerned policeman, Jain claimed, he witnessed the same trio collecting around Rs 7,500 in bribes from other vehicles in his presence. “There were three police officers including one lady ASI and two male police constables in khaki dress...During those terrible 50 minutes, those trio police personnel managed to get another Rs 7,500 approx from other different vehicles in my presence as a bribe,” he stated.
The complainant went on to state that through his interactions with several tourists thereafter, it became apparent that around 90 percent of them also experienced harassment at the hands of Goa police, resulting in unwarranted bribes.
The complainant has sought the department to scrutinize the duty roster to identify the personnel involved.
Bribe returned via GPay through a third person: Complainant
PANAJI: The aggrieved man, also an educationist, claimed he is determined to fight corruption, even after the alleged bribe amount was returned to him through one Sajan Bansal, who acted on behalf of the lady ASI.
“I have received threatening calls asking me to withdraw my complaint, but I am determined in my fight against corruption,” Jain said while exclusively speaking to The Goan from his hometown.
These calls, he explained, were received during an internal inquiry initiated by the department into the incident. The Rs 2,000 bribe was also returned to him during this inquiry phase.
“Bansal, claiming to be the ASI’s brother-in-law, approached me and sent Rs 2,000 on May 19, which was paid as a bribe to the police personnel in Goa. Nevertheless, I am committed to pursuing the complaint to ensure justice, not only for myself but also for all other tourists who face harassment from such police personnel,” he asserted as he emphasized that such incidents mar Goa’s reputation.
Jain is however disappointed that he has not received any communiqué from the police with regards to the ongoing inquiry, stating that officers are unwilling to share details with him despite being a complainant.
The allegations also come at the time when Director General of Police Jaspal Singh acknowledged ‘some black sheep’ in the department.
In response to recent cases where some police officials/officers have faced suspension and transfers for various reasons, DGP Singh conceded, “There are (some) black sheep (within the department) but not to an alarming level.”
He further emphasised that even a single case within the force is a cause for concern.
“Given that the Goa Police comprises around 7,700 force, and only around three cases of such nature have surfaced during my tenure, it is a minuscule percentage of the overall force,” he added quickly.
