Days after the death of 23-year-old Mapu sa student Samuel Bragan za sparked public outrage and raised uncomfortable questions about alleged police overreach and in sensitivity, fresh allega tions of custodial violence have emerged in South Goa, once again placing po lice conduct under intense scrutiny. Five persons, includ ing a minor, have alleged that they were stripped, assaulted and subjected to degrading treatment inside the lockup of the Maina-Curtorim Police Station after being de tained following a group clash at Davorlim on Saturday night. The allegations, if prov en, would represent yet another disturbing in stance of police personnel allegedly crossing the line while dealing with citizens in custody, despite repeat ed assurances of adher ence to legal safeguards and standard operating procedures. The controversy has already claimed its first action within the police force, with South Goa Superintendent of Police Shekhar Prabhudessai suspending constable Chetan Koli pending an inquiry into the incident.
However, police sources indicated that the allegations are not con fined to a single officer and involve the manner in which personnel handled both groups brought to the station fol lowing the altercation. According to sources, police had rounded up five per sons, including a minor, after intervening in a fight be tween rival groups at Davorlim. While they were initially brought to the station for questioning, family members and sources alleged that they were detained overnight un til Sunday morning instead of being released after prelim inary inquiry. There was no complaint, they claimed. During their detention, the five individuals were alleg edly stripped, physically assaulted and subjected to hu miliating treatment by police personnel. Some reportedly sustained visible bruises and injuries. The seriousness of the allegations prompted the police department to initiate disciplinary proceedings. Confirming the action, a senior police official said, “Based on the preliminary information available to us, dis ciplinary action has been initiated against the constable. A detailed inquiry is underway to establish the facts.” Investigators are now examining whether mandato ry procedures governing detention, questioning and the treatment of persons in custody were violated.
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Authorities have begun recording statements from all five individuals. Some have also been referred for medi cal examination to document injuries they allegedly sus tained while in police custody. While the suspension of one constable marks the first official action in the case, sources indicated that the in quiry could widen in the coming days. More police per sonnel who were present at the station during the incident are likely to come under scrutiny, and further disciplinary action cannot be ruled out if evidence supports the alle gations. SP Prabhudessai confirmed that a detailed investigation has been launched into allegations concerning the conduct of the constable while dealing with members of the public. According to the police chief, all allegations will be thor oughly examined and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry. The case has drawn particular attention because it in volves allegations of abuse inside a police lockup and the detention of a minor — issues that strike at the core of legal protections designed to safeguard individuals in cus tody. Coming so soon after the Samuel Braganza tragedy, the latest allegations are likely to deepen concerns over ac countability within the police force and renew demands for stricter oversight of how officers exercise their powers while dealing with citizens.
