3 New Criminal Laws, fall flat on the face at the onset, in 3 Incidents at Goa.
The 3 Incidents of Goa Police at Assagao, Ponda and Colva; amply reveals, you can change the "colonial era" laws overnight, but cannot change the "colonial mindset" of Goa Police, with same alacrity.
On the 1st of July 2024, the 3 new Laws; Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (Earlier, Indian Penal Code 1860), Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (Earlier, The Code of Criminal Procedure 1973) and Bhartiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (Earlier, Indian Evidence Act 1872) came into effect.
The introduction of these 3 new Laws, which have been introduced brazenly after the expulsion of 150 MPs from the opposition during the debate,was hailed as a beginning of a new era by both Chief Minister of Goa and Director General of Police. Read their grandiose statements below.
But, what happens next, immediately, maligns already, the much maligned police force of Goa.
Incident Number 1.
A Police Sub Inspector of Colvale Police Station, Vibhinav Shirodkar assaults Elmira Dourado with a baseball bat and forced her to lick his boots, as part of an accident case.
As usual, the incident was denied by the Police and an enquiry was ordered. When the local MLA Venzy Viegas, intervened the PSI in question was transferred to reserve line.
While the enquiry is underway, no one would put such a grievous blame on a PSI, if there would not have been an iota of truth.
Such incidents are usually reported from the BIMARU states, notably Uttar Pradesh, but the "influence" has come down to Goa as well.
Ironically, the war cry given by the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah (everyone knows his antecedents) on introducing the 3 new Laws was "Danda to Nyay"; which loosely translated.means; law enforcement to focus on Justice for the victim; instead of process becoming a punishment, in itself for the victim.
But, what we are seeing here is that; “Danda” or the punishment still comes first; and Goa Police is behaving, as if they are the "Judge, Jury and Executioner".
The thing to note is that, while the ruling dispensation can change the so called "colonial era" laws, through brute force in the parliament; they can do nothing to change the colonial era mindset and rotten character of the policemen, in the same manner.
While the new law heralds, the policemen of Goa Police remain in the Portuguese (Not British) "colonial era" ; and then CM & DGP tom-tomming about it, the law ie.
There is nothing to tom-tom about Goa Police; which the crony publications do so often, at the behest of their masters.
Bootlicking?
Guess, from where the PSI Shirodkar of Ponda Police, took the cue?
Incident Number 2 :
On the instructions of superior officers and general administration of Goa Police, Ponda Police Station conducted an awareness drive on the introduction of the 3 new Laws for the citizens.
Hilariously, while their own conduct and filthy monstrous character unravels a couple of days later.
Ponda Police, under jurisdiction of South Goa Police, led by SP Sunita Sawant; picked up a daily labourers from Bihar, Kanhaiya Kumar Mondal, on some charge (which is not yet clear) in late June.
His arrest/detention was not shown in the Station Diary of the Police Station.
Later he was dropped off, at the middle of night, by 3 Constables of Ponda Police Station, at an obscure location, out of their jurisdiction.
The labourer, was found to be run over by a truck.
Lo & behold, the autopsy done at Government Hospital reveals, that he was already dead due to multiple stab wounds to his abdomen and neck, before being run over by a truck.
If anything is left for imagination, you can imagine it.
The 3 Goa Police Constables, who out of so much respect and courtesy towards the accused (probably heavily influenced by the impending 3 new laws) and the utmost respect for the Chief Minister, DGP and SP, have been now suspended and an enquiry is under way.
What is more outrageous is the fact that, SDPO Goa Police Margao, who oversees Ponda Police Station, even after the outcome of autopsy report, makes a statement, that "the investigation would reveal, whether the stability wounds were caused by the Bumper of the truck, under which the labourer was crushed".
In the Assagao House Demolition case, the DGP of Goa Police had made a statement through a tweet that "investigation would reveal, whether the Agarwadekars were staying at the house or not".
Having survived the Damocles sword of Transfer, through the use of his good offices at Delhi, DGP Jaspal Singh is back to usual business.
As they say in Punjabi, Sab Changa Si.
All is Well.
Ironically, the Assagao House Demolition also happened, when the Goa Police was undertaking a drive to sensitive it's women and men regarding the new laws, which according to the Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant are supposed to "Shape the future of Bharat (India).
Irony once again died at Goa.
The 3 incidents of conduct of Goa Police in the cases of Assagao, Ponda and Colva; amply reflects that with the brazen manner in which new laws can be introduced; the same MO cannot be employed in the case of sensitising the Goa Police force and it's men.
Forget about the SP and PI and PSI, you can't even sensitise the Director General of Police(Assagao House Demolition).
Let alone, Constables and other sundry men and women of the force.
Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, is very fond of the movie SHOLAY and he devoted amole amount of time, during his speech in the Parliament, on the motion of thanks to President's address.
Taking a cue, this is a video clip, which every Indian (and Bhartiya) has almost memorised. A very apt one on the conduct, character and state of Goa Police, including it's topmost brass.
https://youtu.be/3kg4UsFe1wA
BNS, BNSS falls flat on its mouth in Goa, from Day 1.
You can change the laws overnight, but how to change the mindset, conduct and character of men of Goa Police, in the same manner?
This, the Chief Minister, who is also the Home Minister, cannot answer.