3 cops suspended in Cipriano death case
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JAN 25
After the suspension of a police sub-inspector in the police-drug nexus expose, procedural lapses in the custodial death of Cipriano Fernandes has resulted in the suspension of three police officials including a police inspector.
Panjim Police Inspector Sandesh Chodankar, police sub-inspector Radesh Ramnathkar and head constable Sandip Shirvaikar are suspended from their services for procedural lapses in the Non-Resident Goan’s custodial death.
Police spokesperson and Superintendent of (Special Branch) Police Atmaram Deshpande said that the three police officials are suspended based on the interim report submitted by Deputy Superintendent of Police Boussette Silva.
“The interim report points out certain administrative lapses. On basis of the report, the department decided to suspend the policemen,” Deshpande told reporters.
However, charges against them will be framed after a final report is submitted to senior police officers. “Administrative action has been initiated for procedural lapses. They will face Departmental Enquiry only after a final report,” he said.
Though there is no time frame to submit the final report, the spokesperson said that they expect the report within a week’s time.
Goa police, a week ago appointed a senior gazetted officer – DySP Bousette Silva to look into the procedural lapses and whether there was misconduct on the part of the police after Cipriano’s arrest.
A bulk report was submitted to the Deputy Inspector General of Police Ravindra Yadav on Monday evening.
The inquiry report has found that Panjim police flouted certain formalities after Cipriano’s arrest under Section 151 CrPC. “There were certain rules like matters connected with the arrest of Cipriano was not followed,” he said quoting the 1996 D K Basu v/s State of West Bengal Supreme Court judgment.
Deshpande maintained that there although there are procedural lapses, they have nothing to do with the cause of death. “The interim report has nothing to do with the circumstances of death because Sub-Divisional Magistrate is carrying out a separate inquiry. Our inquiry is only on procedural lapses,” he stated.
The inquiry further revealed that all the lapses occurred when PI Chodankar was present at the police station. Deshpande said that the report points out certain negligence of the inspector as a result of which he had to be suspended.
“His presence at the police station and the fact that he was aware of the matter…certain negligence on his part is indicted in the report…”, he said.
PI Ramesh Gaonkar, who is currently heading Economic Offense Cell is likely to hold additional charge of Panjim police station.
The 38-year-old seafarer was on his two-month long vacation at his home town in Goa when he was picked by the Panjim police on January 7 evening.
The NRI was arrested under ‘preventive measure’ after his woman friend complained against him of threatening her with a knife at her Caranzalem house.
Cipriano succumbed on January 9 morning at Goa Medical College and Hospital with family members holding Panjim police responsible for his killing. They claimed that Cipriano was not taken for medical test after the arrest and demanded suspension of the policemen.
GMC on Monday submitted the final cause of death of Cipriano in a sealed envelope to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). The report is, however, not disclosed so far.
SDM Sabaji Shetye meanwhile visited the forensic department of the GMCH as a part of the inquiry into the case.
