PANAJI
The Panaji and Mandrem police have registered cases against four private security agencies for operating without the mandatory licence under the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (PASARA).
Superintendent of Police (North Goa) Rahul Gupta confirmed that First Information Reports (FIRs) are registered against the owners of three agencies at Panaji Police Station and one at Mandrem PS.
The agencies in Panaji include Cobra Elite Force India Pvt Ltd, whose owner Ryan Fernandes, resident of Caranzalem, has been named as the accused; Vishawakarma Security Service, owned by Rajendra Prasad Tiwari of Old Goa; and ACE Security Services, run by Sushma Naik from her residence in St Inez.
Another case registered at Mandrem PS is against Britto Security Services and Manpower Supply, owned by Lazaro Pascoal Britto. The cases have been booked under Section 4 of the PASARA Act, 2005, read with Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, 2023 on charges of operating without a valid licence in violation of PASARA and cheating.
“North Goa Police reiterates that unauthorized security operations not only contravene statutory provisions but also pose risks to public safety. Strict action will continue against violators,” SP Gupta said.
In addition to the FIRs, four other non-cognisable complaints have been lodged against different security agencies at other PS.
The crackdown comes a week after Goa police published a list of 165 licensed private security agencies operating legally under PASARA. Authorities urged citizens, institutions, and job seekers to verify the credentials of agencies before hiring them or seeking employment. Despite being excluded from this list, the four agencies allegedly continued their operations without obtaining registration.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in his Independence Day address, had warned of stringent measures against illegal operators. “All security agencies not registered with the Home Department will be shut down,” he said, adding that the move was necessary to prevent law-and-order problems, curb gang-related violence, and ensure safety in towns and villages.
