OPINION When 4th and other estates jump to defend GPay charged cops

OHeraldo’s reportage on the utterly shocking charges levelled by a local businessman that the Agasaim police extorted “settlement money” through a Google Pay app of a third party has embarrassed top echelons of the police.

While it is not known if this has made any difference to those charged, who maintain that they were not involved in the GPay drama, the cops seem to have several friends across the fourth estate, other professional spheres, and even in the panchayats, who have been calling with requests like “Please see that the full picture is projected” or “the cop is a nice family man”.

Surprisingly, victims of police brutality like Hanumant Parab do not get such fourth estate or professional support. Or no one calls to say that cases against activists fighting the double tracking project should be dropped because “they are nice people and family men/women”.

Why are no phone calls made for justice for the common man thrashed inside a police station, from those who are supposed to be members of the pillars of democracy? Because the common man has no influence compared to a cop.

O Heraldo’s stand is clear. The fact is that an inquiry is being conducted based on the charges levelled is important enough to pursue.

While the bribe amount is not the question, the harassment of people, especially tourists, and the episodes of extortion cops have enraged people. Many commuters are plain disgusted. This has been and will be reported.

If the inquiry is not conducted quickly, that too will be reported. Moreover, the findings of the inquiry will be reported in full.

Here the previous good conduct or a positive character certificate is of no consequence. The bribery allegation and its conclusion are all that matters in the public interest.

Justice for the common man is hard to get, but it’s a battle worth fighting for. So is the battle to clean up the acts of those in uniform as well as those who control them.