Goa Cops being transferred at behest of policitians

Cops being transferred at behest of policitians

Preetu Nair, TNN

PANAJI: Between July 2 and July 10, the police department received four requests from PIs seeking transfers citing personal reasons. That is not
surprising, but what has raised eyebrows is the fact that all the applicants apparently went out of their way to clearly mention that there is no "compulsion" or "pressure" from anyone to seek transfer.

Details acquired under the RTI Act show that none of them had completed the minimum tenure of two years prescribed by the Supreme Court for police station in-charge. IGP KD Singh called the officers to the "orderly room" to discuss their applications on July 15 and the Police Establishment Board approved the transfers the following day. All the officers got the postings of their choice.

PI Tushar Vernekar, who had taken charge of Calangute police station as officer in charge on November 2007, asked to be relieved on July 10. The IGP said in his file noting that that Vernekar was a resident of Verem, Bardez, that he was the only son of the family. "His mother is 65 years old..." and he is not being able to take proper care of her since "most of the time he is busy at police station". Vernekar would prefer to work at airport immigration or anywhere in the Panaji area, the IGP's noting said. Vernekar got the posting of his choice.

PI Rajan Prabhudessai, who took over as in-charge of the Margao police station on May 19, 2008, filed his transfer application on July 8, 2009. The IGP noted his reason for seeking transfer: "It is a busy police station and he is not able to look after his wife and only child, therefore he wants to work at (a) less burdened police station. He has not been compelled by anyone for asking his transfer from Margao PS. He requested for transfer at Verna PS or Konkan railway PS." PI Rajan was later posted as PI Verna.

PI Santosh Dessai, who had completed just 15 months at Quepem police station, justified his transfer saying he has to bring his mother frequently for treatment to Margao and that due to the long distance it was difficult for him to look after her treatment. Quepem PS being close to his villageCuncolimit is difficult for him to function at the police station and requested for a posting anywhere in Margao sub-division. He was posted as Margao PS in-charge.

Similarly, PI D G Angle said his parents, who stay in Vasco, had health problems due to old age and asked for a transfer to the Vasco traffic cell. In his letter, the officer, who had been in charge of Maina Curtorim PS for last eight months, further wrote, "Moreover, being a local in Margao area also causes a lot of problem of working in the area where people are known to you. I have served last eight years in Margao division and due to the circumstances mentioned above prefer to be transferred and posted at Vasco traffic which at present is vacant". His wish too was granted.

Senior police officers claim that these letters were written at the behest of political leaders in an effort to override the requirements for transfer of officers in charge of police stations as laid down by the Supreme Court.

"Police officers who are not in the good books of politicians are often pressurised to seek transfer in this manner," said a senior police officer.

9 August 2009, The Times of India, Goa edition