TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: While the suspension of the four policemen from Panjim police station, for alleged links with a gambling racket running in the capital, has been kept on hold until the inquiry concludes, two head constables were transferred to South Goa on Wednesday.
Ironically, the department had issued suspension orders to the four – Head Constables Ulhas Khot and Apa Parab, and constables Annasaheb Prabhudesai and Sanjay Hullur – last week. However, now the officials are singing a different tune, claiming they will be suspended if the inquiry report indicts them of the offence.
The inquiry is currently underway with suspicion raised that more may be also involved in the gambling racket.
Meanwhile, Khot has been shunted to Sanguem police station and Parab to Quepem police station, which can be construed as an attempt to ensure they do not interfere in the conduct of the inquiry. The constables are still serving at the Panjim police station.
The Crime Branch had recently raided two gambling dens near Corporation of the City of Panjim market and seized gaming articles worth several lakh rupees and 20 persons were arrested amidst allegations that college students would bunk classes to gamble there.
During the investigation, it was found that some policemen attached to Panjim police station were hand in glove with the persons running the gambling racket, something that was discussed openly among the public – albeit with nobody coming on record – given the proliferation of matka bookies and gambling dens even in the capital city within 500 mts of the police station. Certain police and politicians are already facing trial in the drugs mafia nexus cases with policemen being suspended, some still serving and some outside the State, as the court cases drag on.
