Panaji  (Goa): Amidst controversy within the Goa Police department over bribery case allegedly involving IPS officer Vimal Gupta, the State government was quick to relieve him but it still remains indecisive whether the matter should be transferred to anti corruption branch (ACB). 

 

Police sources said ACB is willing to launch an investigation provided the case is referred to it. “We are ready to investigate the case but since it is a Goa Police case, it should be referred to us. There is no question of taking a suo motu,” a senior ACB officer said responding to question whether the agency will take suo motu cognisance of the matter. 

 

Gupta was relieved from Goa Police last week after lady police sub inspector Devyani Ambekar Naik and police constable Chetan Naik were suspended for offering bribe to him to close a departmental enquiry against her. 

The PSI is facing DE into another bribery allegation wherein she was accused of threatening a group of tourists to implicate them in a prostitution case. She had given her bank account details asking to transfer Rs 2 lakh into her account. It was in this case that PSI Naik was suspended in December 2013 and facing DE since then.

Gupta, holding post of Deputy Inspector General of Police was entrusted with all DEs against the police officials including the PSI. 

Gupta was promoted to the rank of DIG last year, a year after joining the Goa Police force in 2015 as Superintendent of Police.

“The Goa government is pleased to relieve Vimal Gupta, IPS, DIGP (Coastal Security) with effect from December 5, 2017 from this Administration with directions to report to Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi,” reads the order issued by the Goa government on December 5.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had also hinted at his involvement in the bribery scandal claiming the government does not want to take any action, although it posses the powers. Therefore, he said, the government relieved Gupta for the Center to decide action against him. However there were talks about referring the matter to ACB considering that two of Goa police official are also involved.  

Team TNV