Chain-of-Command of Goa Police failed at Canacona, during the investigation of Felix Dahl murder.
The Police Inspector Filomena Costa, blindingly took the side of his (IO), blatantly ignoring the pleas of Felix family. Grossly abdicated his responsibility and duty as PI and Incharge.
For the Police Inspector in charge of a Police Station(s), there are primarily 4 most important duties, which essentially keep the the faith of general public intact :
(a) To supervise locally the investigation of all cases under his circle which may comprise of one or more police Stations.
(b) To be responsible for the prevention/ detection of crime within his circle.
(c) To be responsible for the general efficiency of all Police work within the Circle.
(d) To instruct all Investigating Officers regarding the investigation of case as per his finding during supervision
Mr.Filomena Costa was the Police Inspector of Canacona Police Station, when the murder of Felix Dahl took place. He was in-charge of the IO(Investigation Officer), who reported to him. As far as Canacona Police Jurisdiction concerned, the buck stopped at Mr.Costa.
He failed in all of the above parameters, while leading Felix Dahl death investigation.
While being utterly disgusted, frustrated and dis-satisfied at the way the investigation was conducted by the IO, Felix's mother and aunt (Ms.Sanna Cutter) reached out to Mr.Filomena Costa for the redressal of their grievance, after more than a year of Felix's death. The letters were hand-delivered and Ms.Cutter has receipt of the delivery, of the same.
The letter did not only castigated the shoddy job done by the IO of Canacona Police Station, but also put blemish on reputation of PI Costa, for encouraging the IO's misleading investigation.
Considering the fact that, the said letter was also copied to then Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar, and the DGP of Goa Police, failed to have any effect on Mr.Costa.
The letter was never replied, and Goa Police continued to maintain it's stupid stand that death was the result of an accidental fall.
The Chain Of Command, is supposed to be in the place, to ensure that right things happen, in the right manner.
But, in this case, the chain of command of Goa Police failed miserably, with the Senior not only toeing the line of his errant and dishonest junior, but also bolstering his false claims, and thus protecting him.
The astonishing part is, the level of judgement applied by Mr.Filomena Costa. If the IO has made an error in judgement, it is the responsibility of the PI to correct it, more so in the face of overwhelming circumstantial evidence.
While his junior could be shielding the accused and acting on his behalf, Mr.Costa had a duty to uphold the faith of law among the citizens. And he utterly, failed to act in a honest and impartial manner.
This clearly shows that Filomena Costa long with his IO, was shielding the accused, and was an active party, to deny justice to victim and his family. There was no responsible chain of command present at Canacona Police Station.
If the Seniors of the Police Force of Goa, start taking the side of their Junior and file a flimsy and dishonest "Closure Report" in order to shield the accused, where would a victim get justice?
Filomena Costa has since been shunted around to many postings, and is currently now the Police Inspector of Colva Police Station.
