Gudlar case: Sr cops claim godown was empty

HERALD REPORTER

PANJIM, FEB 5: A day after Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava’s confidential letter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) alleged suspended Police Sub Inspector Sunil Gudlar of stealing drugs from the Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) ‘malkhana’, senior police officers claimed that the godown was empty. 

“The total quantity of drugs in the godown was sent for forensic tests at Central Forensic Science Laboratory at Hyderabad after Crime Branch officials conducted panchanama in March-April 2010. How one can blame any police official,” a senior officer said on condition of anonymity.  

In a two-page confidential letter to the CBI on January 31, the chief secretary said that Gudlar allegedly stole narcotics from the ANC godown. The letter also requested the CBI to take over the case probe. 

 “…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 letter stated. 

The department had conducted panchanama of godown on March 22, 2010 which went upto April 03, 2010 in which entire drugs from godown was taken out and shifted to Hyderabad. 

 “The allegations are false. One can check the video-footage as the entire panchanama was videographed. Entire drugs from the ANC godown were taken out during panchanama to send for forensic tests. The godown was empty then,” said the officer. 

 “Thereafter whatever drugs were seized in raids, it was kept in court’s custody.”

Earlier this year, Gudlar was caught on spy-cam negotiating with two foreign women over the sale of drugs. The women were related to Israeli drug lord David Driham alias Dudu, who has been recently bailed out by the Narcotics and Drugs Psychotropic Substances Court at Mapusa. 

Gudlar faced initial inquiry by the Crime Branch after the expose resulting in his suspension. 

Home Ministry then constituted a Special Investigating Team to probe into the nexus. The case is now handed over to CBI which was also confirmed by Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and Home Minister Ravi Naik.