Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (SB)
Mangaluru, Mar 2: After the suspension of two more policemen attached to the city crime branch (CCB) from service, CCB head constable Ashith D’Souza's family members have alleged DCP Vinay Gaonkar of framing Ashith in the case.
It may be recalled, Ashith was suspended over the report of the DCP regarding the sale of a luxury car belonging to an accused in an economic offence case, when the car was with the police.
As per Ashith's family members, the DCP fixed Ashith in the case due to pressure from some anti-social elements. They said that Ashith was on a sick leave from October 6 to November 6 as he was affected with Covid-19. When the FIR was registered on October 16, he was in the ventilator. They said that without any investigation, police officials have randomly picked his name in his absence on duty and fixed him in the case.
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Clarifying his version to Daijiworld, one of the family members said, “How can a person be involved in a crime when he was in the ventilator. Ashith was admitted in two hospitals in critical condition. After receiving treatment in the hospital, he went for fourteen days of compulsory home quarantine. He was not called for any inquiry. Without checking facts and any questioning, the DCP has added his name and submitted the report to the investigation head. Ashith will question this in the court and will prove his innocence. He is nowhere involved in the said car sale case.
“In the past two years as a CCB police officer, Ashith had played a vital role in nabbing many drug peddlers and cricket bookies. These criminals have strong hold in the department. They were waiting for vengeance. They have pressurised the DCP to fix him in this controversial case. But Ashith will question this move legally," he said.
According to the report submitted by DCP Vinay Gaonkar, Kabbalraj, who was a sub-inspector in the CCB here and later transferred to Chikkamagaluru district crime intelligence bureau, and economic and narcotics department inspector Ramakrishna, were suspended two days ago.
It is said that Kabbalraj helped in selling the car to his friend and Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Bhoopendra Singh. Some other staff had supported this process. Ramakrishna, who was the investigation officer for the cheating case has been accused of showing negligence in not enquiring about the car at the time the accused were presented before him. These suspensions were made on the basis of a preliminary report submitted by deputy commissioner of police Vinay Gaonkar. The police have also issued a notice to a person who functioned as middleman for the deal.
Out of the three cars taken into custody by the police, a Jaguar was sold. The other two were near the police office. On Monday, the assistant commissioner of police conducted their inquest. Two persons accused in the money doubling cheating case were also present on the occasion. The criminal investigation department has also been entrusted with the said cheating case along with the car sale case. CID superintendent of police Rohini Katoch, who arrived in the city on Monday, has served notices to 14 persons in this respect, it is learnt.