Team Herald
MARGAO: South Goa saw a total of 11 cases of assault on government servants while performing their duties, according to local police reports. This marks a slight increase from the 10 cases recorded by the same date in 2023.
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In a major incident this year, an official from the Land Records Department was assaulted within the office premises of the South Goa Collectorate at Margao. Fatorda Police, acting on the official’s complaint, registered an offence under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to assaulting a government servant while on duty, as well as additional charges of abuse, threat and further assault.
Another concerning case occurred on December 12, at Agonda, where a Police Sub Inspector and a constable attached to the Canacona Police Station were assaulted by a local resident. The accused was released on bail as per court orders.
Other incidents were reported at various locations across South Goa, with two cases each in Dabolim and Vasco, and one case each in Margao, Sanguem, Canacona, Verna, Ponda, and Mardol. In all these cases, the suspects were arrested under the relevant legal provisions, though they were later released.
Coincidentally, the number of such incidents in 2022 also stood at 10 cases, with the majority of these occurring in Sanguem (4 cases), Vasco (3 cases), Ponda (2 cases), and one case at the Airport police station.
According to Adv Priyesh Madkaiker, assaults on government servants are treated as criminal offences under the IPC, which carries penalties including fines and imprisonment. Notably, the highest number of such assaults in South Goa occurred in the first half of 2016, when 21 cases were reported. The Ponda police station alone accounted for six of these cases, while Margao and Cuncolim each reported three, with smaller numbers in other areas like Curchorem, Verna, and Vasco.
Advocate Vinay Patker explained that an “assault on a government servant” involves the use of physical force or violence against a public official while they are carrying out their duties. “This type of attack is classified as a punishable offence under the IPC, potentially resulting in imprisonment and/or a fine,” he added.
Another local advocate clarified that any individual who assaults or uses criminal force against a public servant is liable to punishment.
This may include imprisonment for a term which may extend to several years, along with fines or both.
