PANJIM: Although the Goa Police might be uncertain to hand over the corruption charge against IPS officer Vimal Gupta, and suspended lady police sub-inspector and police constable to Vigilance/Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), the latter is awaiting official complaint to launch a probe. “It is a police case. If the matter is referred to Vigilance/ACB, we will investigate,” said a senior vigilance officer. 

In a major decision, the State government on Wednesday relieved Deputy Inspector General of Police Vimal Gupta following allegations of bribery against him and two Goa police officials. Hinting that bribery allegation is true, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar stated that Gupta was relived from Goa ‘because of his not so good activities.’ “DIG came under cloud so I said you go back. This does not mean he is given a clean chit…we will also probe him,” he was further quoted as saying at a press conference. 

The relieving order came nearly four days after PSI Devyani Ambekar Naik and PC Ketan Naik were suspended for allegedly offering bribe to the senior officer to close a departmental enquiry against her. 

Devyani, earlier attached with the Police Control Room (PCR) at Calangute police station, was suspended in December 2013 for allegedly demanding bribe to settle a prostitution case registered against some persons. As per the then inquiry details, she was in constant touch with the alleged accused demanding a bribe of Rs 2 lakh to let them off in the case. Inquiry revealed that she was also in regular contact with some agents and had given her bank account number where the amount was supposed to be deposited in her favour. She was re-instated thereafter but the inquiry continued. 

Gupta, who was promoted as DIG in 2016 was entrusted with conducting all departmental enquiries against the police officials. In the present case, he was reportedly approached by both – PSI and the PC to settle the matter. It was then an inquiry was ordered after which Chetan was transferred to GRP and subsequently suspended. 

The department higher ups had stated that they were considering transferring the ‘corruption charge’ to the vigilance/ACB; however there is no development as of now.