The recent escape of Siddiqui alias Suleman Khan, a 55-year-old accused in multiple land-grabbing cases, from the custody of the Goa Crime Branch has ignited a political storm. Prominent leaders, including Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa President Amit Palekar and former Congress state chief Girish Chodankar, have sharply criticized the Goa Police for their alleged negligence and raised serious concerns over lapses in the administration of the Crime Branch.
Amit Palekar’s Criticism
Amit Palekar accused the police of gross negligence, stating that despite the efforts of honest officers to apprehend the accused after 4.5 years of evasion, he was allowed to escape with the aid of a police constable. Taking to Twitter, Palekar alleged that senior officials, including the SP Crime Branch, were preoccupied with political agendas and “witch-hunts” instead of focusing on maintaining secure custody.
Palekar further questioned whether the escape was “stage-managed,” adding that such incidents reflect poorly on the state of Goa Police. He demanded immediate disciplinary action, including the suspension of the SP Crime, and called on authorities to explain the incident to the people of Goa.
Girish Chodankar’s Allegations
Girish Chodankar raised additional concerns, citing reports that the accused was allegedly provided preferential treatment during his time in custody. According to Chodankar, Khan was allowed to sleep outside the lockup on a coat and may have been extended VIP privileges that facilitated his escape.
Chodankar pointed fingers at the Crime Branch’s ability to ensure secure custody and questioned who authorized the alleged VIP treatment. He demanded accountability from the Director General of Police, the Home Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, and senior officials of the Crime Branch. “The citizens of Goa deserve answers regarding this troubling incident,” he tweeted, calling for an immediate investigation into the matter.
Background of the Incident
Suleman Khan was arrested by the Crime Branch on November 12, 2024, after being on the run for over four years. He was wanted in three cases being probed by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) for land grabbing and was declared a Proclaimed Offender in two cases in North Goa. However, on December 13, 2024, at around 2:30 AM, IRBn Police Constable Amit Naik, who was on guard duty, allegedly unlocked the custody room and fled with Khan on a Yamaha R15 motorcycle.
An FIR has been registered at Old Goa Police Station against the constable, and a massive manhunt has been launched by the Goa Police in coordination with neighboring states.
Police Response
The Goa Police have dismissed allegations of preferential treatment as baseless but confirmed that a detailed inquiry into the management of the Crime Branch lockup is underway. Senior officials have assured that stringent disciplinary action will be taken against those found responsible.
This incident has sparked widespread outrage and put the Goa Police under intense scrutiny for lapses in their custody protocols. Political leaders and the public alike are demanding swift action and accountability to restore trust in the state’s law enforcement.
