Goa DGP angers govt with CBI suggestion

State Law Secretary Pramod Kamat had dubbed DGP's act as 'confusing'.

"It is confusing that the state has written to the High Court requesting to appoint a sitting judge for the inquiry, DGP on the other hand has written for CBI inquiry," Kamat told reporters.

The DGP's letter to the government for a CBI probe was on the very same day Chief Minister Digambar Kamat assured for a judicial probe.

"...On May 28 itself, even before any quarter could ask for handing over the cases to the CBI, Police Headquarters had written to the Government recommending transfer of all the Balli cases to the CBI, since the process of investigation of these cases has law and order implications," the DGP's press note had stated.

The judicial probe was announced after the United Tribal Association Alliance (UTAA) demanded thorough investigation. Kamat had met the High Court Chief Justice Mohit Shah requesting to assign a sitting justice to probe the case.

DGP earlier faced wrath from the tribals for making a statement that he would have ordered firing at the mob. UTAA has decided to approach the National Human Rights Commission against the DGP.

Six cases relating to the May 25 Balli carnage is being investigated by the Crime Branch. The incident claimed lives of two tribal leaders who were burnt alive in a cashew factory which was set ablaze by the locals.

A magisterial inquiry has pointed out that police were "mere spectators" to the incident.

Crime Branch has registered a case of murder against 15 people including Dipak Faldessai who is in the custody.

The agency has made three arrests so far. Two other accused - Prashant Faldessai and Narendra Faldessai are on the run. Police have already issued a look out circular against them.