Team Goemkarponn
MANDREM: Goa Police have initiated disciplinary action against the police inspectors and other staff attached to Mandrem Police Station after it observed “certain lapses” on their part in connection with the “VIP treatment” for the accused from Delhi, who was arrested for killing a local woman last week.
DGP Alok Kumar said that appropriate action initiated against Mandrem PI on basis of inquiry report by SDPO Pernem.
The following mistakes by PI Mandrem Sherif Jaques were brought to light by SDPO Pernem in his report following an investigation into the claim that he provided VIP treatment to murder suspect Deepan Rajeev Batra.
“When residents expressed their desire to protest the murder occurrence at the police station, PI failed to deploy enough police officers, endangering the safety and security of the accused in detention,” the inquiry report states
It further states that the accused should have been moved or transported in front of the PI, who served as the case’s investigating officer, but instead he asked lower-level employees to do so.
As per information, PI Mandrem will receive a an official order today asking for his response to the shortcomings noted in the inquiry report.
It may be one of the first cases in Goa police history wherein, within a few hours, the investigation of a murder case was completed, and the Delhi man, 23-year-old Deepan Rajeev Batra, was sent to judicial custody on Saturday.
But before the Goa police could bask in glory, they made themselves infamous by providing Batra with “VIP treatment” on Monday after he was taken into police custody following a furore by Mandrem locals.
A tense situation was witnessed at Mandrem police station after residents gathered outside on Monday night. They noticed that the murder accused, Batra, was being taken in a private car with the air conditioner on.
The residents forced police to take Batra out of the private car into the police station. The PSI told residents that as there was only one police vehicle, which was taken by Mandrem PI, they were shifting Batra to Pernem police station lock up in a private vehicle.
Unhappy with the hasty probe and the decision of the Goa police not to take Batra into custody, Mandrem residents started agitating. Arolkar also raised the issue with chief minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the home portfolio.
A recent murder case in Goa has ignited widespread outrage, not only due to the tragic circumstances but also because of the perceived mishandling of the investigation.
The swift conclusion of the case and allegations of preferential treatment for the accused have fueled public discontent, with Mandrem residents demanding justice and questioning the police’s decision-making process.
At the heart of the controversy is Deepan Rajeev Batra, a 23-year-old from Delhi, who was arrested for running over and killing a local woman, Marie Feliz Fernandes, in Mandrem. The investigation was remarkably swift, concluding within hours, and Batra was remanded to judicial custody on Saturday.
However, local residents were incensed by what they perceived as VIP treatment given to Batra, who was transported in a private car with air conditioning. The police explained that this was due to the unavailability of a police vehicle, but this justification did little to quell the anger.
The incident has its roots in a dispute over a pet dog, which escalated into a physical altercation. Batra allegedly deliberately hit Fernandes with his car after the argument, resulting in her death. The hasty investigation and perceived leniency towards Batra have led to widespread dissatisfaction among Mandrem residents.
Following public outcry, the Goa police sought Batra’s custody for further investigation, highlighting concerns about the fairness and efficiency of their handling of the case.
