Claims State yet to recommend probe
PANJIM, FEB 14
Virtually washing its hands off the police-drug nexus case involving Israeli Yaniv Benaim alias Atala and seven policemen, the Central Bureau of Investigation today claimed that Goa Government had not recommended any probe, while also stating that the case did not come under its jurisdiction.
The Division Bench of Bombay High Court at Goa was hearing a petition filed by National Student Union of India (NSUI) Goa Unit pleading a CBI probe into the police-politician-drugs mafia nexus cases in the State.
“The alleged case of the Crime Branch relates to the local State police and none of the accused are working in the Central Government or in any central public sector undertaking, which would justify taking over the investigation already being conducted by the local police”, reads the affidavit filed by CBI Superintendent of Police S S Gavli.
It further stated, “…the Government of Goa has not issued any authorisation under the Delhi Police Act 1946 authorising CBI to take over the investigation”.
On the contrary, Goa Government by a letter dated January 21, 2011 to the Department of Personnel & Training Dr S K Sarkar in New Delhi had requested CBI to take over the probe.
Seven policemen including Inspector Ashish Shirodkar were arrested last year after drug lord Atala had confessed about his links with the policemen who allegedly supplied him drugs.
Swedish model and Atala’s former girlfriend Lucky Farmhouse Amori had shot the confession on the spy cam exposing the policemen-drug peddler nexus in the State.
NSUI earlier had given 48 hours ultimatum to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat to hand over the case to CBI or the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
In its further submission to the Court, CBI stated that the matter does not fall within the purview of CBI also as Anti Narcotics Cell or the Crime Branch is looking after narcotics related offences.
“There is a separate wing in the Centre – Narcotics Control Bureau to deal the menace of narcotics. In view of the above, it is submitted by the CBI that the matter may not be entrusted to this respondent in the ends of justice”, it added.
Referring to cases against Atala and another Israeli David Driham alias Dudu, suspended PSI Sunil Gudlar, former ANC PI Shirodkar and six other tainted policemen, NSUI had prayed that the four cases be handed over to CBI.
Legal representative for NSUI Surendra Desai requested the Court that Dudu case be further investigated, as it was handled by “tainted police officer PSI Gudlar”.
He said, “the case was chargesheeted by the tainted police officer who himself is an accused in a drugs related offense. Since the allegations are serious, I request the case be further investigated”.
Advocate General Subodh Kantak has sought time for reply. The matter will be next heard on February 22.
