Panjim Police Inspector (PI) Suraj Gawas, along with Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Harish Madkaikar and Superintendent of Police (SP) Mahesh Gaonkar refused to come on record when Herald approached them regarding the Campal accident on Easter Sunday.
At the same time, they appeared irritable and non-cooperative when Herald reporters repeatedly asked them questions about the case and sent reporters from one person to the other like a game of musical chairs.
While the PI sent Herald to investigating officer (IO) PSI Allaudin Khan, the IO asked Herald to enquire with Police Constable (PC) Vinit Kurtikar. Declining to come on record, the SP instead opted to hand over to Herald a copy of the preliminary investigation report.
The DySP stated he was on leave but opted to furnish the information to Herald by speaking to the concerned police officers.
The IO, when contacted, said that the car is registered in the name of the accused friend’s father.
He added that the incident was not captured on a CCTV camera. The absence of surveillance cameras in the heart of the state capital puts a question mark on the safety and security of the residents of the city which is being promoted as a ‘smart city.