Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Jan 24: At least half of the six police inspectors (PIs), who were recently demoted and reverted to the rank of police sub-inspector (PSI) by the Goa Police, have proceeded on medical leave even as they have submitted representations to the state government seeking restoration of their earlier rank.

More than six months after directions from the Bombay High Court at Goa, the Goa Police on January 19 demoted six officiating or ad-hoc PIs — Terence Vaz, Sandhya Gupta, Sunil Gudlar, Vilesh Durbhatkar, Sushant Gawas and Rahul Dhamsekar — all of whom are facing criminal cases. The officers were reverted to their substantive PSI rank until they are either fully exonerated or acquitted.

Sources said the officers have written to the Home Secretary requesting a review of the demotion order. A senior official confirmed that the government is examining their representations to assess whether there is any legal merit. It is also learnt that some of the officers have not formally accepted the demotion order.

“The demotion has been carried out in compliance with the High Court’s directions. If there is a valid legal basis, they may be granted a hearing. Otherwise, they will have to continue as PSIs until the criminal cases are decided,” the official said.

Among the demoted officers, Rahul Dhamsekar has continued at his place of posting, now serving as a PSI. However, Sushant Gawas, Terence Vaz and Sandhya Gupta have reportedly gone on medical leave. Sources said Vaz had been on leave even before the demotion order due to conjunctivitis and was replaced while leading Republic Day parade preparations because of his health condition.

In the Crime Branch, PSI Sandhya Gupta, who is facing bribery charges in a two-decade-old NDPS case, reportedly went on leave shortly before the order was issued. She had been handling several investigations, including a forged passport case involving a Philippine national, which are now likely to be reassigned following her demotion.

It has also emerged that the police department may soon issue fresh transfer orders for the demoted officers.

The demotions stemmed from a writ petition filed last year by PSI Anand Narvekar, who challenged the denial of his promotion while officers facing criminal cases were elevated. During the hearing, the High Court observed that promoting officers with pending criminal cases was “not an approach to be appreciated.” In July 2025, the court directed that Narvekar be granted officiating promotion if found suitable, on par with others who had earlier benefited.

Meanwhile, the Goa government on Friday promoted 19 deputy superintendents of police to the rank of superintendent of police on a regular basis with immediate effect. The promotions were cleared by the Departmental Promotion Committee and conveyed through the Goa Public Service Commission.