TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Two constables attached to the Crime Branch have been suspended for allegedly collecting haftas (monetary considerations) from massage parlours and spas.
The Crime Branch office on Wednesday issued suspension orders on Siddesh Sawant and Prashant Parab after an internal inquiry established their involvement in corruption.
Crucial evidence in the form of CCTV footage from massage parlours and spas, personal interviews of those presently behind bars under anti-prostitution Act and phone call details were collected against the duo during the inquiry. Statement of an alleged flesh trade kingpin Dinesh Mishra that the two constables would often collect haftas from him to allow prostitution gave the CB a lead.
“There were a few others who also alleged that Sawant and Parab would extort money from them. An inquiry carried out confirmed their involvement,” said an officer.
Mishra, who has around three cases of Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act registered against him, was arrested earlier this month during a raid. He had earlier given the police the slip during a raid last month.
The two suspended constables were posted to CB last year.
