PANJIM: Goa Police has disbanded the local intelligence branch (LIB) at all police stations following allegations that they were indulging in extortion even as it suspended one of its constables for reportedly threatening and demanding a bribe from some tourists in August.
Constable Melvyn Cardozo has been absconding since a First Information Report under the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against him at Crime Branch after an internal inquiry report indicted him of the charge.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sunil Garg asserted that they would not tolerate corrupt practices by the men-in-khaki.
“Through this move, we want to send a message to all the police personnel that nuisance will not be accepted. This is also an attempt to build confidence with the public at large,” he said.
Cardozo’s suspension came following an email complaint made to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar about extortion, which was subsequently forwarded to the IGP for inquiry. The incident happened within the jurisdiction of Porvorim police station when the constable stalked three tourist couples in a car as they were returning after partying at a night club.
Garg said that Cardozo allegedly stopped the car near Verem and threatened them that he would implicate them in a prostitution case and in lieu asked them to pay him Rs 15,000 to ‘settle the matter’.
“The tourists did not have cash at that moment. But one of the three girls had an ATM card and she withdrew Rs 10,000 and paid him,” the IGP said. The tourists later filed a complaint via mail to the Chief Minister who instructed the police to conduct an inquiry. The inquiry, Garg said, ascertained the charges levied by the complainants soon after which Cardozo was suspended and transferred to Goa Reserve Police.
In the wake of the incident, the department has also decided to launch a new mobile helpline 7030100000 and website www.goapolice.vigilance@nic.in on November 15, to fight against corruption within the police force. Garg assured that the complainant’s identity would not be disclosed in such cases. The department has been receiving several complaints of extortion involving the LIB.
With the suspension of the LIB, the special branch has now been tasked with collecting intelligence from their respective jurisdictions.
