Parrikar smells rat into cops-drug mafia probe

Parrikar smells rat into cops-drug mafia probe
Calls it attempt to protect police officials
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, APRIL 28
While Crime Branch is grappling with investigation of police-drug dealers nexus, the Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday alleged that the entire investigation is just a cover-up and that an attempt is on protect police officials who are part of the nexus.
“This is manipulation and an attempt to fix up the matter with police officers who were trying to probe the case,” he charged while addressing a press conference on Wednesday here.
He picked holes in the investigation of Crime Branch and its failure to nab the absconding cop Sanjay Parab. “If they pick-up a gadawalla stationed opposite Crime Branch office at Dona Paula they will able to know whereabouts of absconding cop,” he said.
Five cops have been suspended so far for their alleged nexus with drug dealers. While four have been arrested but constable has been absconding for over a month now.
He further said, the absconding cop will resurface probably after the case is weakened alleging that game plan has been settled to ensure that no more fresh names of policemen come to light and the investigation would end with ‘sacrifice’ of five cops .
Commenting on reported statement of Deputy Superintendent of Police, Crime Branch, Chandrakant Salgaokar wherein he denied the possibility of involvement of a Goan politician’s son with arrested drug dealer Yaniv Benahim alias Atala, Parrikar queried how did he know within 24 hours whose son was not involved. “Many politicians have sons, “he quipped hitting out at Crime Branch saying it’s track record is not impressive and conviction rate has dropped.
Atala’s ex-girlfriend Lucky Mangarda (farmhouse), a Swedish model, in an email interview, has said that she is in possession of videos of a Goan Politician’s son and several policemen who came to collect bribes from Atala.
He also reiterated that investigation be handed over to CBI due to involvement of police officials. There has been judgment of the Supreme Court wherein it has been made clear that in cases where state police are involved independent agency has to be asked to investigate the case.
The issue will be raised before Ad-Hoc Committee, he further said adding that if all options are exhausted he will write a letter to High Court highlighting the contempt on part of the State Government.
He further stated that Home Minister Ravi Naik should hand over the case to CBI or the needle of suspicion would point towards him.
My conscious is clear — Referring to ongoing investigation by CBI in IFFI 2004 , Parrikar made it clear that it wants the investigation to be completed within a fixed time frame.
I don’t want CBI to stop investigating but it has to do it in a fixed period of time, he said.
It may be recalled that a top CBI officer three days ago stated that the investigation would be completed in a month or two.