Sleuths turn heat on ANC constables
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, JAN 11
Even as the investigation report into the police-drug nexus involving police sub-inspector Sunil Gudlar has been handed over to Director General of Police Bhim Sain Bassi today, sources said that constables attached to Anti-Narcotics Cell (ANC) are also under scanner.
Highly placed police sources said that Crime Branch Deputy Superintendent of Police Shamba Sawant grilled ANC constables, as one of them is reportedly Gudlar’s ‘right-hand’.
PSI Gudlar faced inquiry into a sting video telecast by a local channel showing him negotiating with two foreigner women over the sale of drugs at an undisclosed destination.
Police are yet to take action against Gudlar, who has since been shunted from ANC to Security branch.
Police spokesperson Superintendent of Police (Special Branch) Atmaram Deshpande, when contacted said that the matter is under consideration.
Sources further said that the Socorro-based constable acted as a liaison officer between Gudlar and the drug dealers during Gudlar and Superintendent of Police Veenu Bansal’s tenure in ANC.
“He always acted as a middle person and would get a share from the raids and even otherwise”, said the source on condition of anonymity.
The inquiry team expected that the constable would spill the beans in the fresh police-drug nexus, as a result of which his interrogation was specially focused.
Sources also say that ANC has gone into hibernation after the Gudlar expose and the team is reportedly asked not to book cases till the situation settles down.
Senior police officers are likely to hold a meeting with Chief Minister Digambar Kamat regarding the case on Wednesday after which action will be decided.
In a series of three video tapes, Gudlar is seen talking about paying bribes to his seniors. The video is said to have been shot four months back when SP Bansal was heading the ANC.
Meanwhile, Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Court at Mapusa on Monday issued show-cause notices against seven police officers to appear before it on January 24 following an application by civil society activists alleging that police refused to register a complaint in the matter.
