Team Goemkarponn
BICHOLIM: Brazen embezzlement of over Rs 17.30 lakh in traffic violation fines that reportedly disappeared from the Bicholim Police Station’s coffers was discovered during an internal audit.
Sources claim that the officer, Pooja Gawas, has been suspended as a result of this transgression. However, the police department has mandated that an audit be conducted in every police station in try to mitigate the harm.
According to the sources, despite being suspected, the female policeman was able to obtain a transfer to the Colvale Escort Cell.
According to the sources, a clear discrepancy between official bank deposit receipts and internal Traffic Police records prompted the move.
In one case, an identical copy from the police station itself reported a much greater sum of Rs 2.82 lakh on a cash deposit slip that was sent to the SP Traffic Headquarters, yet it indicated a deposit of Rs 82,000. The higher-up became suspicious of systemic fraud as a result, and an investigation was ordered right away.
A discrepancy in the quantity of cash collected and deposited was also discovered. After this, a departmental investigation was mandated after the SP (Traffic) raised a concern.
According to the sources, the purported embezzlement of funds took place between February and December of last year.
The motor vehicle challans that are collected in cash are meant to be sent to the police station’s dealing hand, who is in charge of totaling the money and occasionally making sure that the right bank deposits are made.
In addition to other motor vehicle infractions, the Traffic Cell works with police stations to handle intoxicated driving, excessive speeding, and helmetless riding. All fines are either recorded through digital transactions or deposited in banks.
