PANAJI
Trouble mounts for suspended-arrested Police Inspector Videsh Pilgaonkar as the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) has begun scrutinizing his past records as a retired Inspector General of Police (IGP) might also come under scanner.
The retired IPS officer, who sought to intervene after the PI was accused of bribery in Mandrem, later found himself transferred to Delhi no sooner it reached the Chief Minister’s Office in 2022.
Sources disclosed to The Goan that the retired IGP was found at a venue in Mandrem where loud music blared and demanded bribes to prevent taking legal action. “The ex-IGP tried shielding PI Pilgaonkar from allegations of bribery and had personally travelled from Panaji to Mandrem one evening to strike a deal with the owner of the said commercial premises. However, the local lodged a complaint with the CMO after which the IGP was not only transferred but relieved of duties within 24 hours,” the source said.
ACB sources disclosed that this incident will be examined along with investigation into the Terekhol bribery allegation against the PI. “The PI faced a couple of allegations in the past followed by inquiries… although these matters never reached a logical conclusion… With his current arrest on corruption charges, the ACB will have to delve into those inquiries, and all those persons connected to him could be interrogated,” the source added.
In view of this development, the suspended PI may find himself facing more FIRs as investigations will also explore why the PI retained dual responsibilities at coastal police stations in Terekhol and Chapora, despite being transferred to Special Investigation Team (SIT) (Land Grab), a role he never assumed. The issue, though sorted out later, has pointed fingers at a Superintendent of Police, who allegedly supported the PI.
Meanwhile, the Sessions Court is scheduled to hear the bail applications of the PI, and other suspended-arrested head constables Sanjay Talkar and Udayraj alias Raju Kalangutkar on Wednesday.
