Goa government orders probe into casino party by senior cops

Goa government orders probe into casino party by senior copsPanaji, Nov 14 : The Goa government has ordered an enquiry into the controversial party organised by four superintendents of police and other senior police officials aboard an offshore casino vessel.

Speaking to reporters Saturday, state Home Minister Ravi Naik said he was seized of the visit by senior police officials to the offshore casino and had summoned the state Director General of Police B. S. Bassi for an explanation.

"I came to know about this now. I have called DGP Bassi to start an enquiry into the matter. We will try to find out why they were there," Naik said.

On Thursday night four superintendents of police - Bosco George (North district), Atmaram Deshpande (CID), Arvind Gawas (Traffic) and Vishram Borkar (Headquarters) - along with two deputy superintendents and an inspector created a stir on board offshore casino vessel MV Casino Royale after they locked themselves up in Aqua, a bar aboard the vessel, to avoid media persons who were attending a press conference organised by the casino management.

The senior police officials were the focus of attention after they refused to step out of the closed bar room in the presence of the media.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has condemned the incident, calling it "shameful" and demanded an enquiry into the conduct of the senior officers.

Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) chief Subhash Shirodkar has also condemned government servants and politicians patronising casinos.(IANS)