Coastal PI evades punishment despite bribery allegations

POLICE INSPECTOR NOT QUIZZED NOR NAMED IN FIR

The bribery allegation against the Terekhol Coastal Security police exposed a deep-seated corruption by some ‘black sheep’ in the department, but what’s particularly alarming is the alleged leniency shown towards former TCS Police Inspector – prominently named in a complaint filed by sports operator Pruthvi H N.

The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) was quick to arrest suspended Head Constable Sanjay Talkar after the Sessions Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea; followed by the arrest of HC Raju Kalangutkar on similar bribery charges.

But then TCS PI, who was quietly transferred to the GRP after the expose, has remained untouched at least as of now. All this is despite the complaint and the Court raising concerns about the alleged manipulation of records at the PS during the PI’s tenure.

The Goan possesses the FIR along with copies of all relevant documents and evidence,

all of which have already been submitted by the complainant paraglider to the ACB for investigation. The FIR, which only identifies HC Talkar as the accused, has “others” as unnamed co-accused.

On the contrary, in the complaint, Pruthvi alleged both Talkar and one PI Videsh Pilgaonkar demanded and accepted the bribe. The 39-yearold also stated that he met HC Talkar and PI Pilgaonkar at a specified location in Keri, where the complainant claimed he paid a bribe.

“During this visit, PI Pilgaonkar

demanded that I pay him a bribe of Rs 10,000 on a monthly basis to operate my adventure sports business smoothly. Initially, I refused to pay this illegal bribe amount as I possessed all the necessary permissions from the Tourism department. However, HC Talkar pressured me to do so, threatening harassment and closure of my legal business if I didn't comply. Eventually, I agreed to pay the bribe after negotiating it down to Rs 8,000 per month,” reads an excerpt from the complaint, which served as the basis for registering the FIR.