Panaji: Goa police have launched an inquiry against crime branch police inspector Vikas Deykar, chief minister Pramod Sawant said on Saturday. Deykar was suspended later in the day.Deykar appeared before Old Goa police on Saturday in response to a summons issued in an alleged sexual assault case involving a minor. Police have begun recording his statement.DGP Alok Kumar said Goa police have initiated departmental proceedings against Deykar.“There will be an inquiry,” said Sawant, who also holds the home portfolio.Union home minister Amit Shah had handed the President’s Colours to Deykar in Sept.“Goa police have a zero tolerance policy against misconduct. In the past, when there has been any misconduct, strict legal action has been taken. Here, too, legal action and departmental action have been initiated,” Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of an event marking the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.Old Goa police have registered an FIR against Deykar and a woman, Ranjini Palyekar, in connection with the alleged sexual assault. The woman has been accused of facilitating the offences.According to the complaint, the alleged incidents took place on July 25 and Oct 27 at the crime branch office in Ribandar. The case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.Meanwhile, Congress working president Sunil Kawthankar demanded the resignation of chief minister Pramod Sawant.“This is not merely a case of individual misconduct; it raises serious questions about the failure of home minister Pramod Sawant to exercise control over his own department,” Kawthankar said.After Goa police commemorated Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, Kumar also felicitated traffic warden Sitakant Kamat for his voluntary services.
