This morning, I overheard one journalist tell another that sums running into a
few lakhs had gone into the pockets of the Police Sub Inspector who was
involved in investigating the mysterious death of the 15 year old British
citizen Scarlette Kealing and the Doctor who had conducted the 1st autopsy
report.
The family of Scarlette had to run virtually from pillar to post to seek
justice in this sad and gloomy episode and the sympathies of the vast Goans, I
am sure, would be with her family in their moment of grief.. This incident has
unquestionably brought a bad name and disrepute to Goa and the blame for the
same must fall at the doorsteps of the investigating Police officers and the
doctor who conducted the 1st autopsy. The Political Establishment, particularly
the Chief Minister and the Home Minister must also not absolve themselves of
the responsibility, although the Chief Minister must be commended for
subsequently taking immediate corrective steps to undo the wrongs.
This incident has also brought to the fore the rampant corruption that has
seeped into the Police system but now is not the time to make sweeping unsavory
comments against the entire Police machinery and paint them with the same
tainted brush, as there still are a few diamonds in between the enormous pile
of rotten apples. Bosco George, the present Superintendent of Police is one
such honest and upright officer who can be counted upon to take the bull by the
horns. Apart from arresting the guilty offenders of this horrendous crime,
Goans would hold him in high esteem if he could also look into the allegations
of “palm greasing” made against the erring doctor and the PSI and deal with
them with a heavy hand for tarnishing the fair name of our beloved State. We
must pin our hopes on him for giving due justice to Scarlette’s family while
keeping our fingers crossed.
For too long and too often, errant officers who are involved in scuttling of
cases are often let off the hook, particularly when the victims or their
families are ordinary people who are un-important or who have no clout of their
own in society. The media probably has a role here. While I must compliment
the “Fourth Estate” for giving this incident the due publicity that it
deserved, they must keep up the relentless media pressure going to set the ball
rolling. The guilty must be made to face the music.
So how are we, the citizens placed in all this? My own take on this is that, to
a large extent, we need to look into the mirrors ourselves. We elect, time and
again, the same corrupt Politicians who take bribes running into lakhs of
rupees for giving out jobs in the Police force. And there are people who are
willing to shell out that kind of huge money, as the Police force is like the
hen that lays the golden eggs; and entry into the same is a lucrative
investment which would make even returns of a booming stock market look pale in
comparison.
Maybe Parrikar is right, maybe Ravi Naik is not cut out for the Home Ministry
this time around. His heart just does not seem to be there. It is time he gets
his act in order!
Cheers
Sandeep Heble
Panjim-Goa
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