As many as seven police officials from Makarpura police station in Vadodara city, including the Police Inspector (PI) in charge, VN Mahida, were suspended with immediate effect after a probe revealed that the personnel did not perform their duties in a recent case of gambling filed at the police station.
It must be noted that Mahida had also been sent on leave reserve at the police control while he was appointed in charge of the Karelibaug police station after the state monitoring cell had busted a prohibition case coming into the jurisdiction of the Karelibaug police station.
In a press statement released by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Zone III, Yashpal Jaganiya, said, “In a primary inquiry into a case of gambling registered at the Makarpura police station on August 13, 2022, it has come to light that one of the accused in the case was let off without any arrest or procedural action.”
“It reflects a gross omission and negligence on part of the officials. Police Inspector, Makarpura, VN Mahida along with ASI Rajendrasinh Ganpatsinh, Assistant Head Constables Tulsidas Bhogilal, and Vinod Shankarbhai, Assistant Police Constable Ishwar Chandubhai, and Lok Rakshak personnel Mansukh Bhanabhai and Jitesh Maghabhai have been suspended from duty with immediate effect,” it added.
Jaganiya told the Indian Express that a detailed inquiry into the case will now be held. “The issue came to my notice two days ago, and I had ordered a preliminary inquiry, which confirmed that PI Mahida had let off one of the eight accused in the FIR for gambling on August 13, without undertaking any procedural formalities…” said Jaganiya.