Order on foreigners’ panchanamas flouted

Order on foreigners’ panchanamas flouted
Preetu Nair | TNN

Panaji: Shocked by the manner in which a police officer carried out the inquest panchanama of the body of a foreign national, on December 15, 1997, the then top boss of the Goa police passed an order stating that in the event of a death of a foreign national, the panchanama had to be only handled by the concerned sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) or a supervisory officer - not below the rank of police inspector.
However, till date, the instructions have only remained on paper and have not been followed. Information available with TOI reveals that despite the circular issued by IGP P R S Brar in 1997, several senior officers allowed their juniors, some of them probationary officers, to conduct the inquest panchanamas.
These facts have come to light following documents made available by the government under the Right To Information Act. The documents reveal that from 1998 to 2007, about 177 inquest panchanamas relating to foreigners, under section 174 of CrPC, were conducted by PSIs and even probationary PSIs.
Despite strict instructions, in the last ten years, 69 unnatural deaths of foreigners in Calangute, 33 in Anjuna, 20 in Panaji, 5 in Porvorim, 17 in Mapusa, 21 in Colva, 2 in Canacona, 7 in Vasco, 2 in Verna and one in Cuncolim, were handled by PSIs.
“The very fact that the circular has been issued means that you shouldn’t be violating it, and the officer who is violating it is doing it at his own risk,” said SP (North) Bosco George. Echoing SP George’s views, SP (South) Shekhar Prabhudessai said, “It is mandatory for the officer in-charge of the police station to follow the circular and take action accordingly.”
The IGP had passed the order after a police officer was implicated in a criminal case for alleged encashment of traveller cheques belonging to a dead foreigner. These cheques were reportedly taken into custody by the officer while conducting the inquest panchanama. The IGP had then observed that “such attitude of the officer is highly objectionable and had tarnished the image of police department”.
In order to avoid such malpractices, the IGP issued an order that henceforth whenever any information relating to death of a foreign national is received at the police station, prompt information must be given to the concerned SDPO/supervisory officer before proceeding to the spot, and the inquest panchanama and inventory of the personal belongings of the deceased foreigner be made in the presence of SDPO. The concerned SDPO also had to closely supervise the investigation in such cases till the case was disposed off. All officers in-charge of police stations were directed to comply strictly with the instructions and were warned that any deviation of these instructions would be viewed seriously.
It is only after 10 years, IGP Brar’s circular gained significance, following the alleged rape and murder of Scarlett Keeling at Anjuna beach.
It may be recalled that PSI Nerlon Albuquerque, officerin-charge of Anjuna police station, was dismissed because he adopted a callous attitude and sent a probationary PSI to conduct the inquest panchnama of Scarlett’s body.

2008 Aug 07 Times Of India Goa