PANAJI
The station in-charge at Terekhol Coastal Security Police Station along with other personnel would soon be questioned in the bribery case that saw the arrest of suspended hawaldar Sanjay Talkar.
The case is likely to expose a complex network of extortion and bribery within the coastal belt if not the entire stretch.
“All those implicated, including the PI in question, will be summoned and interrogated as part of the ongoing investigation,” revealed a police source to The Goan.
“We are collecting additional evidence besides the ones already in our records including the complaint copy, audio recording, etc…”
Paraglider Pruthvi H N’s complaint to the ACB detailed an encounter in January 2024, during which Talkar and the PI allegedly illegally demanded a monthly bribe of Rs 10,000. The demand came with a threat of police harassment if not paid on a regular basis. The amount was subsequently negotiated down to Rs 8,000 per month.
“WhatsApp calls were made to the complainant to avoid recording. He was pressurized to pay the sum to Talkar… All the related evidence including GPay transaction records accompanying the complaint, and the audio recording will be thoroughly investigated by our team. If necessary, forensic analysis will be sought,” the source added.
What has aroused further suspicion on the claims by Terekhol Coastal police about the illegal paragliding activity is the absence of any muddemal entry from 2016 to March 30, 2024.
“Had the glider been lawfully brought to the police station on March 22 or 23, as claimed by the PI, an entry in the muddemal register would have been made. However, no such record exists,” the source remarked, adding the register would also be taken into custody for investigation.
The ACB arrested Talkar on Friday shortly after the North Goa Sessions Court denied his anticipatory bail plea. He has been remanded to police custody for five days to facilitate interrogation with the Court observing that there is prima facie evidence of his involvement in the offence.
