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Goa CM promises action against IPS officer accused of misbehaving with woman

According to a report forwarded to Sawant, the woman was with her partner when the officer, who has recently been posted to Goa, allegedly touched her inappropriately

Updated on: Aug 9, 2023, 15:46:15 IST
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Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday promised “strict action” against an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer accused of misbehaving with a woman at a nightclub on Monday night.

Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant. (ANI)
Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant. (ANI)

“Strict action will be taken against him. We will not tolerate this,” he said in the Goa assembly when Opposition lawmaker Vijai Sardesai raised the matter.

According to a report forwarded to Sawant, the woman was with her partner when the officer, who has recently been posted to Goa, allegedly touched her inappropriately.

Sardesai said the officer misbehaved and should be immediately recalled. “Suspend him and relieve him [of his duties]. He should be sent home. This is a blot on the police. They are paying only lip service to women’s empowerment.”

Police initiated an internal inquiry into the incident in the absence of a complaint. Goa police chief Jaspal Singh said a report was sent to the chief minister for the government to take further action. He added they came to know about the incident via social media. “[It] was verified... based on the circumstances and prima facie it was found to be true. No statements have been recorded yet.”

  • Gerard de Souza
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Gerard de Souza

    Gerard de Souza is a Special Correspondent based in Goa and has been reporting on and about issues concerning the state and the wider western coast of India for over 18 years. His wide range of stories covers politics, crime, environment and tourism-related concerns emerging from India’s smallest state. Born and brought up in Goa, he has a deep understanding of the former Portuguese enclave’s evolution from a laidback collection of idyllic villages that first drew flower power generation of counter culture enthusiasts to its shores to one that has become synonymous in Indian popular culture with an aspirational holiday, seeing the best (and worst) that holidayers have to offer. He also keenly follows criminal trials. Most notably, he covered the trial surrounding the killing of Scarlett Keeling, a British teenager found dead on Anjuna beach, and that of Danielle McLaughlin similarly killed in south Goa, among others. He authored the book ‘Crimes of Passion: When Desire Turns Deadly,’ chronicling cases of romance turning to rage and murder. A graduate of Goa University, he learnt the trade on the job and has experience on both the reporting and editorial sides of the profession. When not sniffing around for a worthy headline, he likes to spend time outdoors to help ensure his heart is always in the right place.Read More