Panaji, Jun 26 (TOI): The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the directorate of vigilance has recommended the state government to close down the inquiry against SP Atmaram Deshpande in an alleged corruption case at Valpoi police training school (PTS) as DIG V Ranganathan's report has negated allegations leveled by a NGO. Last month, the ACB had initiated a preliminary inquiry against Deshpande in an alleged corruption case at PTS.
The earlier inquiry conducted by the DIG (crime and range) is in respect of the complaint filed by the NGO 'Generation Next for Goa' alleging against rampant corruption and illegal activities in the PTS.
ACB SP Bosco George has said that the report by the DIG is detailed and has carried the entire gamut of the allegations alleged by the NGO. The report also clearly indicates that no plausible evidence has come on record to corroborate the allegations leveled against the officers of PTS, George said in a note to the government. "As the inquiry in the matter was already conducted by the DIG, it would not be prudent for the undersigned to go further with the inquiry registered by ACB as the inquiry conducted negated all the allegations leveled in the complaint filed by the NGO against the alleged irregularities at the PTS," George added.
George also said, "I acquiesce with the suggestion of the inquiry officer that this inquiry which has already been conducted by the DIG should be accepted as conclusive or this inquiry be handed over to any senior officer of the state administration as the suspect officer is a member of the all India service, so that this false propaganda by a local daily is nullified and that reputation and credibility of ACB which has been outstanding for all these years under my stewardship is not viewed as suspect in the eyes of superiors and public at large."
Inquiry officer and deputy superintendent of police Bossuet Silva stated that the DIG's report mentions that no credible evidence has come on record to substantiate allegations leveled against officers of the PTS during inquiry and that statements recorded and records examined negate allegations leveled by the NGO. "Superior may therefore like to peruse and issue appropriate instruction in the matter for preliminary inquiry and refer the matter for perusal of the competent authority," Silva added. ACB had initiated the inquiry, following the approval by chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar and chief secretary R K Srivastava.
The police department had initiated the inquiry following the complaint filed by the NGO, who demanded immediate inquiry into the process of purchasing kit articles, law books/stationary items, electrical works and civil work done by the PWD at the police training school in Valpoi.