Team Herald
PANJIM: Controversy and Police Inspector Sagar Ekoskar work in tandem. The officer’s recent act of alleged high-handedness during the ongoing agitation against the proposed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) project at Melauli, has brought back not-so-good memories about his service and postings.
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Known to be a forthright person, PI Ekoskar made headlines over five times since 2011 for wrong reasons. From suspension for threatening his superior to being sent on leave for allegedly assaulting a former panch, the PI has often grabbed the negative limelight.
In 2011, then DGP Aditya Arya suspended the PI for allegedly misbehaving with a senior officer. It was alleged that PI Ekoskar threatened a DySP, prompting the latter to complain to the DGP leading to the PI’s suspension.
In 2018, while posted at Sanguem Police Station, Ekoskar was accused of assaulting panch member Janu Zore in the lockup as a result of which Zore was admitted to hospital. The incident occurred when Zore along with his brother, a lawyer and another man visited the PI at Sanguem PS to settle a dispute.
Just before this, Ekoskar had been in the news for allegedly shielding a police sub inspector in one Amit Naik assault case.
After a lull of two years, Ekoskar has given the State at least three controversial memories. The first in July 2020 when he ordered his staff to detain four tribals moments before a group of villagers were to address a press conference against the proposed IIT project in Guleli. The reason he cited was the enforcement of Section 144 CrPC due to increased COVID-19 cases pan-India; whereas angry villagers pointed out violation of safety guidelines by the policemen themselves. Ekoskar released the detained villagers following a backlash from various quarters. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant was forced to ask for a report.
Just when things were subsiding, on December 2, 2020 the PI allegedly assaulted and abused sarpanch Suresh Madkar while the locals were agitating against the iron ore transportation issue at Solye. He also arrested Madkar after which irate locals gathered outside the Honda Police outpost demanding Ekoskar’s suspension.
The PI apologised but DGP Mukesh Kumar Meena ordered a departmental enquiry and directed Ekoskar to go on eight days leave. The DGP is yet to appoint an officer to conduct the inquiry after which any action/penalty against the PI will be decided.
Last week, he was dragged into controversy yet again, with allegations that he stomped on women protestors. The department has not initiated any action against him, though the police have filed an FIR against the protestors.
