Team Herald
PANJIM: Key accused in Goa’s high-profile land-grabbing cases, Siddiqui alias Suleman Khan, who escaped last week under murky circumstances, has left many questions unanswered. Was it an escape from the custody of the Special Investigating Team (SIT) probing the land-grabbing cases, or from the office of the SIT Crime Branch? The lack of clarity has raised concerns about accountability and proper protocol within Goa’s law enforcement system.
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According to police sources, there is no officially notified custody or prison designated for SIT operations, which further complicates the narrative surrounding Siddiqui’s escape. If there’s no notified prison, as insiders claim, the main question remains, from where exactly did Siddiqui escape?
Efforts to reach SP of SIT and Goa Police PRO Rahul Gupta for clarification proved futile. However, Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar, speaking to O Heraldo, indicated that action would be taken only after receiving the investigating officer’s (IO) report.
“Let’s wait for a report from the officer who is already on the task. Accordingly, we will come to the conclusion,” Kumar said, refraining from commenting on whether the SIT or Crime Branch had a notified prison facility.
Police sources revealed startling lapses. The facility where Siddiqui was detained is not a registered prison under either the SIT or Crime Branch. It appears the detention site belongs to the Panjim Coastal Police Station. There was no formal record of Siddiqui’s custody maintained by the SIT, including details of staff assignments, food, clothing, or his movements during his detention.
Adding to the controversy, it has been confirmed that the duty officer, who was suspended following the escape, belonged to the Crime Branch, not the SIT. This underscores the lack of a formal protocol or clear delineation of responsibilities for detainees under SIT investigation.
The incident has highlighted the absence of procedures such as maintaining a prison register, which would typically document the movement and activities of those in custody. These gaps point to a troubling lack of oversight in handling such a high-profile case.
The escape of Siddiqui has not only raised operational concerns, but has also cast a shadow on Goa Police’s credibility. Until the inquiry report is submitted and its findings are made public, the escape will remain a example of systemic loopholes and procedural lapses within the State’s law enforcement system.
Panjim Coastal Police Station: An Unlikely Holding Facility?
Complicating matters is the revelation that Siddiqui was being held at a facility belonging to the Panjim Coastal Police Station, which is not an official detention centre for the Crime Branch or SIT. This raises additional questions regarding the standards and protocols followed during his time in custody.
The Panjim Coastal Police Station, equipped for basic law enforcement functions, is not designed for the detention of suspects in high-profile or serious criminal cases. Experts argue that such facilities are often under-resourced and not equipped with the security infrastructure necessary to prevent escapes. According to the Goa Human Rights Commission, overcrowded and improperly maintained detention facilities in the State have been an ongoing issue, exacerbating concerns about the safety of both suspects and law enforcement officers.
Rising concerns over police accountability
As details about Siddiqui’s escape continue to surface, concerns about police accountability have reached a feverish pitch. The lack of clear procedures, the absence of a designated detention facility for SIT detainees, and the missing records all point to a deeper systemic issue within the Goa Police.
The land-grabbing case has attracted widespread attention due to the involvement of influential persons and the alleged illegal acquisition of valuable land in Goa, a State known for its rapid urbanisation and high-value real estate. Siddiqui, who has reportedly been linked to several high-profile land deals, was believed to be a key player in the syndicate under investigation. His escape has only heightened public interest in the case and calls for a thorough and transparent investigation into the lapses within the Goa Police force.
Whiff of rivalry as two police teams race to nab Siddiqui
Team Herald
PANJIM: The aftermath of Siddiqui alias Suleman Khan’s escape from the Crime Brach lockup seems to have brought out in the open the rivalry between two Goa Police departments.
The Crime Branch and North Goa police have sent out two separate teams to nab Siddiqui, the key accused in multiple land-grabbing cases. According to sources, this apparent competition between the two arms is allegedly because of the lack of synergy between the two SPs, which has led to each team being tasked independently. Crime Branch personnel have been strictly instructed, it is reported, not to return empty-handed and ensure they apprehend Siddique first.
“The escape itself was embarrassing enough, and now this competition is further dividing resources. Ultimately, it’s about catching Siddiqui and restoring public trust,” said a senior official on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, the fugitive’s whereabouts remain unknown, and his escape has exposed vulnerabilities in the police system. The stakes are not just high for the Goa Police’s reputation, but also for ensuring justice in the high-profile land-grabbing cases in which Siddiqui is involved.
As both teams pursue their leads, the big question is, who will get to Siddiqui first? The outcome of this rivalry could have lasting repercussions on inter-departmental coordination within Goa Police.
