Team Herald
BICHOLIM: An internal audit has uncovered brazen misappropriation of nearly Rs 17.30 lakh in traffic violation fines which had allegedly vanished from the coffers of Bicholim Police Station.
According to sources, this misdeed has led to suspension of the cop identified as Pooja Gawas. However, to do damage control the police department has ordered conduct of audit across all the police stations.
The sources said that the lady constable in spite of coming under suspicion managed to get a transfer to the Colvale Escort Cell.
The sources said that the action was taken as glaring mismatch was observed between official bank deposit receipts and internal records with the Traffic Police.
In one instance, a cash deposit slip submitted to the SP Traffic Headquarters showed a deposit of Rs 82,000, while an identical copy from the police station itself recorded a significantly higher amount of Rs 2.82 lakh. This caused the higher up to suspect systematic fraud and prompt inquiry was ordered.
It was also found difference in the cash amount collected and deposited. Following this, the SP (Traffic) raised a quarry and a departmental inquiry was ordered. .
The alleged misappropriation of funds occurred from February to December last year, the sources added.
According to the protocol, the motor vehicle challans collected in cash are supposed to be handed over to the dealing hand of the police station, who is responsible for tallying the amount and ensuring proper bank deposits from time to time.
The Traffic Cell collaborates with police stations to manage violations such as drunken driving, over-speeding and helmetless riding among other motor vehicle offenses. All fines are either deposited in banks or recorded through digital transactions.