Panjim, Feb 4: It was always believed that officials of the Anti-Narcotics Cell stole drugs from their own seized stock and sold them back into the drug market. Now here’s proof. And it’s the same man Gudlar again.
In a letter written by Chief Secretary, Goa, Sanjay Srivastava (dated Jan 31, 2011) to Dr S K Sarkar Additional Secretary Service and Vigilance, Department of Personnel and Training, asking the CBI to investigate the case of P S Sunil Gudlar’s drug links as exposed in sting operation by ‘Prudent media’, Srivastava states that the Special Investigation Team formed to conduct an inquiry had found prima facie evidence that Gudlar “committed theft of narcotic drugs from the ANC godown”.
It is indicated that it was this stolen supply that Gudlar attempted to sell to the sister and girlfriend of drug don Dudu, which was caught on camera during the sting operation carried out by the two ladies.
The shocking revelation needs to be put in context. This police officer who was commended for his role in arresting Dudu, by his superior Venu Bansal (then SP ANC), actually stole seized drugs from the godown of his department to sell to the girlfriend and sister of the same man he had arrested.
The Chief Secretary’s letter to Sarkar, after his first written on January 21 (ten days ago) is the second request for a CBI inquiry. Hence, it is clear that the Government has now technically asked for 2 CBI probes for cases of a similar nature.
The Herald is in possession of both the letters. In the letter written on January 21 the Government has handed over case number CID CB PS Cr No 16/2010 under different Sections of the IPC, Prevention of corruption Act and the NPS Act against Ashish Shirodkar and other officers, who were arrested after drug lord Atala’s girlfriend Lucky farmhouse uploaded pictures. Vide the latest letter of January 31, case Cr No 3/2011) regarding Gudlar’s involvement has now been handed over.
“This case has hence generated considerable controversy. These cases are similar in nature and have links and involvement of local police officers, therefore, in the interest of fairness and justice and to impart credibility to the investigations, Government of Goa has decided to entrust the enquiry of the case to the CBI”, the Chief Secretary’s letter stated.
The big question now is “Why is this man Gudlar still free after first the Crime Branch and now the Special Investigation team finding clear initial evidence of his direct involvement in the theft and peddling of drugs? But that’s another story.
