Bureaucracy
Booze, Misbehavior, and a Free Island Trip: Suspended IPS Officer’s Journey from Goa to Andaman
President Droupadi Murmu has reinstated Dr. A Koan, a 2009-batch IPS officer suspended for allegedly misbehaving with a woman tourist in Goa last year. Following the revocation of his suspension, the Ministry of Home Affairs has transferred him to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
In August 2023, Dr. A Koan, a 2009-batch IPS officer from the Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, found himself at the center of a controversy that led to his suspension. The incident occurred at a beach club in North Goa, where he was alleged to have misbehaved with a woman tourist. The Goa Police, acting on a report filed with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), accused Dr. Koan of being inebriated during the incident. This serious allegation prompted President Droupadi Murmu to suspend Dr. Koan on August 16, 2023, pending further investigation.
The suspension of Dr. Koan was conducted under the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969. The MHA’s initial order, issued on August 16, 2023, stated that disciplinary proceedings were being contemplated against him. Undersecretary Rakesh Kumar Singh later issued an order on July 11, 2024, explaining the extension of Dr. Koan’s suspension. The order highlighted that the suspension had been reviewed multiple times and extended based on the recommendations of the Review Committee.
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The disciplinary proceedings were formalized under Rule 8 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, with a memorandum of charge issued on January 31, 2024. Dr. V Candavelou, IAS of the AGMUT cadre, 1997 batch, was appointed as the inquiring officer, and Omvir Singh Bishnoi, IPS of the AGMUT cadre, 2004 batch, was designated as the presenting officer. These appointments were made to ensure a fair and thorough investigation into the allegations against Dr. Koan.
The review process of Dr. Koan’s suspension tenure revealed the complexity and seriousness of the case. His suspension tenure was initially set to end on February 10, 2024, but it was extended for an additional 180 days, until August 7, 2024. This extension was granted to allow the disciplinary proceedings to proceed without hindrance and to ensure that all aspects of the case were thoroughly examined.
After nearly a year of suspension, the President, considering the facts and current circumstances of the case, decided that the continuation of Dr. Koan’s suspension was no longer in the public interest. The decision was influenced by the findings that there were no corruption allegations, criminal proceedings, or judicial inquiries pending against Dr. Koan. The President exercised her powers under Rule 3 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, to revoke the suspension and reinstate Dr. Koan in service with immediate effect.
A few hours after the revocation of his suspension, the MHA issued another order transferring Dr. Koan from Goa to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The order, issued by Undersecretary Rakesh Kumar Singh, stated that Dr. Koan was being transferred with immediate effect and until further orders. This transfer is seen as a move to ensure that Dr. Koan remains in service while the disciplinary proceedings continue and to provide a fresh start away from the controversy.
The Goa Police’s report to the MHA highlighted that Dr. Koan was on medical leave for a spondylitis-related neck ailment at the time of the incident. This medical condition was considered during the review of his suspension. Last year, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had emphasized in the Assembly that strict action would be taken against Dr. Koan and that such behavior would not be tolerated. The Chief Minister’s statement underscored the seriousness with which the state government viewed the allegations.
The reinstatement and subsequent transfer of Dr. Koan have elicited varied reactions from different quarters. On one hand, the decision to revoke the suspension has been seen as a positive step by those who believe that the suspension was unjust and that Dr. Koan deserves a fair chance to clear his name. On the other hand, there are concerns about the message this decision sends regarding accountability and disciplinary action within the police force.
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