PANJIM: The State Police Complaints Authority (SPCA) has observed that there is prima facie serious misconduct on the part of the Agasaim police inspector for failing to register an FIR in the custodial death of Cipriano Fernandes. The SPCA has now asked the PI to prove that he did not register the FIR in good faith and at the advice of the director of prosecution.
The SPCA headed by Justice (retired) Eurico Santana da Silva, while hearing a complaint filed by human rights activist Jowett D'Souza said, "As the fact stands, the position taken by the respondent suggests that prima facie there is a case of serious misconduct on the part of the concerned police officer, which justifies further action."
The SPCA said that they have decided to proceed with the inquiry into the matter to ascertain the real truth. Also the SPCA has said that the point for determination in the case is that the respondent, PI Vishwesh Karpe, proves that the action taken by him in not registering an FIR in respect of the petitioner's complaint was done in good faith and at the advice of the director of prosecution.
Cipriano, 38, was on a two- month vacation in Goa when he became a victim of the alleged police brutality. On January 7, he was arrested by the Panjim police after his lady friend complained of threatening her. He died at the Goa Medical College (GMC) and Hospital on January 9 allegedly after police thrashing in the police station.
While police claimed that Cipriano suffered from fits and vomited alcohol after which he was rushed to the hospital, his family members alleged that Cipriano died as a result of police brutality. After the incident came to light, D'Souza had lodged a complaint with Agasaim police, requesting them to register an FIR against the concerned police officers of the Panjim police, but the police didn't then register an FIR. Aggrieved, D'Souza approached the SPCA.
The SPCA has further said in the order that the material on record discloses that PI Karpe had refused to register an FIR with regard to the complaint of D'Souza involving a cognizable offence, on the ground that an inquiry was being held by the sub-divisional magistrate in Panjim.
"In our view, it was the duty of the respondent to comply with the legal mandate and the directions of the Supreme Court and get the complaint immediately registered so much so the reasons adduced by the respondent to justify his action are not tenable in the eye of law," the SPCA added.
This is a high profile case as the notorious Babush is the main culprits. The politicians buys the police like fish for their own interest. The SPCA should complete the full inquiry and bring the culprits to book.
ReplyDelete