BASURI DESAI
In a develop ment that has baffled Can acona residents and raised serious questions about the State’s policing stand ards, no offence has been registered in the attempted dacoity at S M Jewellers in Chaudi — despite the bur glars pelting stones at po licemen on night patrol as they fled. The revelation has caused disbelief, coming days after a series of dacoities and at tempted break-ins across Goa prompted public ap peals for stronger law-and order enforcement. The targeted jewellery shop, located barely a kilo metre from the Canacona Police Station, was attacked around 2.30 am when a group of 6-8 men tied the jeweller’s family inside their home, disabled CCTV cam eras with black spray paint, and began forcing open the shutters. Two patrolling po licemen rushed to the site after hearing the commo tion — only to be met with a barrage of stones from the fleeing suspects. Yet, in a twist that has left the community stunned, the police have not registered a single FIR, even though the incident involved attempt ed dacoity, attempted theft, criminal trespass, property damage and the assault of public servants on duty. Shop owner Pravin Vernekar, who had initially submitted a written com plaint to Canacona Police, confirmed to O Heraldo that he later gave a sec ond application stating he did not wish to pursue the matter. Vernekar said he did so because the process of repeatedly going to the police station, arranging panch witnesses, and the possibility of court pro ceedings would become a “headache”. But residents and legal experts argue that this is no justification for police inaction. “This incident took place in front of police, and stones were thrown at po licemen on duty. How can that not amount to an of fence?” asked local activist Pavan Tubki, calling the sit uation “deeply worrying”. Social worker Vaibhav Faldesai echoed the con cern: “The responsibility of filing a complaint cannot rest only on the shop own er. When the crime is pub lic, the State must act.” Legal observers point out that attacking a public servant on duty is a seri ous offence, and attempted dacoity does not require the complainant’s consent for police action. Advocate Dharmesh Vernekar said that under criminal law, po lice are empowered — and obligated — to register a case when a cognisable of fence has occurred, even if the victim does not insist on filing a complaint.
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“This is a complete blunder by the Canacona Police where there is no offence registered when their staff are even attacked,” AdvVernekar said. This situation has left the community anxious and con fused. While residents had earlier criticised the lack of preparedness during night patrols, the latest revelation has triggered a new concern that without an FIR, there is no investigation, no suspects and no accountability, de spite three attempts on the same jewellery shop and ongo ing dacoity incidents in the State. Locals insist that transparency is urgently needed, and that the police must explain why no offence has been regis tered, especially when the attack involved damage to prop erty and aggression towards police personnel. Traders say they now fear that such incidents may continue without deterrence. Faldesai said, “If a crime happens in front of the police and still no case is filed, then what protection do we have?” The issue, they say, is no longer about just one shop, but about public safety, trust in policing, and whether Cana cona’s night policing system is prepared for the threats it faces. Attempts made by this representative contacting SP South Goa Tikam Singh Verma and DGP of Goa Police Alok Kumar over phone but they did not respond for a com ment.
