PANJIM: Disability Rights Association of Goa (DRAG) on Saturday demanded action against the Ponda Police Inspector for not filing First Information Reports (FIR) on complaints filed by a person with disability even though they were of a serious nature.
In a letter to the Director General of Police DRAG stated, “We wish to bring to your notice the non registration of 2 FIRs at Ponda Police Station on complaints filed by person with disability, Sylvester Camilo Gracias. Although 20 days have passed since the complaints have been filed and as per Supreme Court order dated 7th September 2016 in the matter of Youth Bar Association of India v/s Union of India FIRs have to be uploaded online on the department website with 24 hours of the offence, the Ponda police station has not registered any FIRs till date on the complaints filed by Gracias despite reminders from us even though they are serious in nature. We are forced to believe that the complaints are taken lightly by your officers because they are filed by a person with disability.”
“This also shows the insensitivity of your officers towards persons with disability. We request you to direct the Ponda Police Station to register the FIRs in both the above cases within 24 hours of receipt of this letter failing which we will be forced to take legal action. We also demand action against the inspector in charge of Ponda Police Station for his insensitivity towards persons with disability and inaction on complaints of serious nature,” DRAG said
DRAG has also filed a complaint with the Director Panchayat and Superintendent of Police against Shiroda Panchayat regarding the same case. The panchayat had not taken into account the objection raised by Gracias to a procedure.
