VIBHA VERMA
PANJIM: It was the act of whistleblower and RTI activist allegedly exposing policemen-matka gambling link that rattled the entire Panjim police station, some of whom have volunteered to opt out of the present posting to avoid further embarrassment.
The file noting, read by Herald indicate that a majority of Panjim police staff were never willing to continue their service at the PS since the last three years, foreseeing trouble. This turned out to be true with the crime branch raiding two matka dens in March that eventually resulted in the suspension of two hawaldars and two constables for their alleged links with the matka groups.
SP Priyanka Kashyap, who has nearly completed the inquiry against the four, has been informed about the activist intimidating the PS in retaliation to his previous complaint on the destruction of mangroves not being registered. The staff is now accusing the government employee-cum-activist Kashinath Shetye of using this as a weapon to harm them professionally.
The Panjim police charged Shetye of threatening them to ‘face consequences’ for not registering FIR into his complaint following which, he tipped of the higher ups about the matka activities.
“The complaint is under preliminary inquiry. In the meantime, the activist approached NGT and got status quo ordered. On March 18, 2015, he approached the PI and produced a copy of the letter issued by GCZMA and demanded for instant registration of FIR,” reads an extract of the statement to the inquiry officer.
“Since the matter was under preliminary inquiry and clarification was required to facilitate registration of FIR, same was not registered. At this time, the activist threatened about exposing matka activities. The PI requested the activist to provide information to take action accordingly. “At this time, he, in front of my staff told me that if I am not registering the FIR into his complaint, I should be ready to face consequences,” it adds.
PI Rajendra Prabhduesai, who appeared before Kashyap during the ongoing inquiry, pointed out the PS is occupied with a number of tasks right from issuing summons to escorting accused to different courts, registering cases, investigations, bandobast duty and many more.
Considering these events, the PI stated that proactive policing has been hampered while in the same breath also accusing the activist for attempting to corner the entire PS staff.
“…The fact is confirmed that the raids were conducted on tip off of so-called activist Shetye, who has admitted the fact in PIL filed before the High Court regarding matka activities. It is crystal clear that the timings of the raids are as per the wish of the so-called social activists. The intention of said activist is to corner PI Panjim and staff for not discharging duties as per his whims and fancies,” Prabhudesai stated. As such, he has termed action against his four staffers ‘unfair.’
Performance report to the department bosses indicate that Panjim PS conducted 28 matka raids in the year 2012, booked 29 and 24 cases in 2013 and 2014 respectively, and 16 cases in the first four months of this year.
The Panjim police have already expressed their displeasure to continue working at the PS, particularly after the four personnel were suspended for alleged nexus with matka racketeers. The crime branch had confiscated gaming articles worth several lakhs of rupees in a raid at two gambling dens and arrested 20 persons.
Sources in the headquarters have confirmed that it has received more than 12 notings from the Panjim PS since 2012 citing a number of problems it has been going through as a result of which majority staff is unwilling to work, fear of being exposed to allegations and charged for inaction.
“We understand the issues faced by Panjim police. The department initiated inquiry so that there is no blame game of bias towards its force. It is a fair and transparent probe, and we are taking into account whatever the concerned officials have to say,” a senior IPS officer told Herald.
Inspector General of Police Sunil Garg said, “It is a big PS with maximum activities it has to conduct and deal with. Considering this, it has been given the highest number of staffers than other PS. In addition to this, reserve police force is in place for Panjim and Porvorim PS in view of law and order situations.” He added the inquiry report against the four personnel is expected shortly.
