A senior police officer in Goa has sparked controversy by allegedly ordering on-duty personnel to perform physical punishment after they stopped a high-ranking government official at a routine vehicle checkpoint. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, has drawn criticism from the state's top police official and raised questions about discipline and morale within the force.
The Nakabandi Confrontation
The sequence of events began at a nakabandi (checkpoint) set up in Santa Cruz, where personnel from the Old Goa police station and the Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBn) were conducting vehicle checks. A car with a BR (Bihar) registration plate, heading towards Panaji, was stopped for inspection.
When the driver was asked to move his vehicle forward slightly and produce his license, he reportedly waved his identity card, declaring himself to be an IAS official attached to a central government office, and drove away from the spot without completing the check.
IAS Officer's Return and Complaint
The situation escalated minutes later when the same IAS officer returned to the checkpoint. According to a senior police officer familiar with the developments, the official opened the boot of his car, removed the items inside, and threw them onto the road. He then challenged the police personnel to check his vehicle.
After this display, the officer collected his belongings from the road, placed them back in the car, and departed. Subsequently, he contacted a senior police officer and filed a formal complaint regarding the initial stop at the nakabandi.
Superintendent's Unusual Punishment
North Goa Superintendent of Police Harischandra Madkaikar was tasked with inquiring into the complaint. In a move that has been widely condemned, Madkaikar summoned the police personnel who were on nakabandi duty to his office in Porvorim.
Instead of a procedural review, he allegedly ordered the personnel to perform squats as a form of punishment for having stopped the IAS officer's vehicle. This action has been described by colleagues as demoralizing and detrimental to the force's willingness to perform its duties diligently.
Top Brass Condemns the Action
Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Kumar explicitly stated that Madkaikar's actions were unwarranted. He confirmed to the media that he had spoken to the SP about the incident.
"I have spoken to the SP and told him that he should follow the rule book instead of asking police personnel to do squats," DGP Kumar said. He further instructed Madkaikar to ensure proper briefings are given to personnel deployed at checkpoints and emphasized that all interactions during vehicle checks must be conducted courteously.
The incident highlights the tensions that can arise during routine law enforcement activities, especially when involving officials, and underscores the importance of established protocols over arbitrary disciplinary measures.
