Panaji: In a landmark order, Goa State Police Complaint Authority (GSPCA) has directed a police inspector to perform social service in ten gram panchayats across the state as a punishment for his refusal to register FIR in a custodial death case.
Vishwesh Karpe had refused registration of FIR in the custodial death case of NRI Cypriano Fernandes on January 15, 2011.
Cypriano had been arrested by Panaji police for trying to attack a woman. He was allegedly tortured in the police lock up.
Several policemen, including then police inspector Sandesh Chodankar, were suspended pending inquiry. Cypriano was declared dead at Goa Medical College and Hospital, a state-run facility which falls under the jurisdiction of Agassaim police station then headed by Karpe. He is currently attached to Anjunem police station.
Activist Jowett D’Souza had moved GSPCA demanding action for dereliction of duty. GSPCA Chairman R M S Khandeparkar in his judgment has directed Karpe “to perform a social service in the form of educating members of ten different village panchayats of his choice about the existence, functioning, purpose and utility as well as the complaint disposal procedure followed by the GSPCA.” “Each village panchayat shall be from different talukas and five of them shall be from north and rest from south (districts),” the order said. GSPCA directed the officer to carry out social service even when he is not on duty.
“On performance of such service, within fifteen days there from, the inspector shall file the report with the office of the authority as well as Inspector General of Police,” the ruling said holding the IG responsible for compliance of the order. GSPCA said that disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against the inspector for failing to file FIR but with a rider that the proceedings be kept on hold for one year. “The proceedings will start immediately if the inspector is found involved in any other act amounting to misconduct,” the authority has said. (PTI)