MARGAO: The inquiry into allegations that police personnel were collecting money from motorists with-out issuing challans near the Mollem check-post has gathered pace, with state-ments of several police of-ficials already recorded by the inquiry officer.
South Goa Superintendent of Police Shekhar Prabhudessai confirmed that the inquiry had commenced and that statements had been recorded as part of the preliminary investigation.
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“The inquiry officer has already started the inquiry and some statements have been recorded. However, no inquiry report has been submitted to me so far,” Prabhudessai said. He added that appropriate action would be initiated once the inquiry report is received.
“We will initiate action once the inquiry report is submitted,” he said. Police sources said the Sub-Divisional Police Officer has been directed to conduct a preliminary inquiry and submit a report within two days. Necessary departmental action will be taken against any erring personnel attached to Collem Po-ice Station, sources added.
According to sources, police personnel were deployed at the check-post in different shifts and efforts are underway to identify those who were on duty during the period under scrutiny.
The inquiry was initiated following a media report alleging that a two-day surveillance operation conducted near the Mollem check-post had captured police personnel stopping vehicles around 500 metres before the check-post and allegedly collecting money from motorists without issuing challans.
The alleged activity was reportedly re-corded on camera, with police personnel seen changing shifts at around 11 am.
When contacted, Collem Police said they had taken cognisance of the media report and had commenced an inquiry into the allegations. Police further stated that statements of the concerned personnel had been recorded.
Officials formed that a detailed report on the matter would be submitted to senior police officers for further action.
