Probe against cop using security vessel for fishing

PANAJI - A probe has been initiated against an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who was caught fishing along with his relatives in a hi-tech marine patrol vessel Sunday morning, a police official said.

The issue came to light after a local newspaper carried a photograph of Superintendent of Police (Anti-narcotics cell) Veenu Bansal fishing along with his relatives in the fast patrol vessel, operated by the coastal security police.

The boat, manufactured by the Goa Shipyard, was procured to counter sea-borne terrorists by the Goa government on the directions of the union home ministry.

The photograph published in local English newspaper Gomantak Times Monday shows Bansal dressed in a red police life-jacket, with seven other civilians, including two children fishing in the sleek vessel at the picturesque Nerul creek, which is lined with mangroves and known as a happy fishing ground.

The boat party is also armed with several fishing rods.

“An enquiry has been initiated as to how the boat was issued to the officer concerned for fishing as shown in the photo. The allotment of the boat for sorties is the responsibility of the coastal security division of the state police,” a senior police official told IANS.

Police press relations officer Atmaram Deshpande refused to comment. “We have taken note of this. I cannot tell you anything more,” he said.

Bansal, when contacted, also refused to comment. “I cannot say anything. Please contact the director general of police,” he said.

DGP Bhimsain Bassi was unavailable for comment.