PANAJI
After weeks off the roster following their court-mandated demotion, two Goa police officers returned to duty -- a muted comeback as the State government is reportedly reluctant to revisit the directions of the High Court of Bombay at Goa.
Official sources told The Goan that at least two of the six demoted Police Inspectors, who had gone on medical leave soon after the January 19 order, resumed duties, with one of them joining as recently as this week. A third officer, who had been on leave even before the order due to conjunctivitis, resumed duty after recovery.
The returns come as the State has been treating the case cautiously, showing little appetite to challenge or dilute the directive issued by the High Court, which had effectively forced the demotions.
On January 19, the Goa police demoted six officiating/ad-hoc PIs -- Terence Vaz, Sandhya Gupta, Sunil Gudlar (under suspension), Vilesh Durbhatkar, Sushant Gawas and Rahul Dhamsekar -- reverting them to their substantive rank of Police Sub-Inspector. All six are facing criminal cases, and the order made clear they would remain at the lower rank till they are either acquitted or fully exonerated.
One officer who rejoined only this week came after the department pressed ahead with restructuring beats to the revised hierarchy.
The order followed months of legal scrutiny following a writ petition filed by PSI Anand Narvekar, who argued that the promotion process was compromised. During the hearing, the court took a dim view of the State’s approach, remarking that elevating officers facing criminal prosecution was “not an approach to be appreciated.”
The demoted officers sought recourse as they approached the Home Secretary, requesting a review of the demotion order. Sources said the government, however, is reluctant to intervene.
“There’s no further development on the matter. The demotion order is in compliance with the High Court’s directions. The representation/s made by the demoted PIs are being examined, but unless there is a clear legal basis, they will have to continue as PSIs,” the source said.
