Goa Police Complaints Witness Sharp 60% Increase in 2025
The State Police Complaint Authority (SPCA) in Goa recorded a significant 60% rise in complaints against police personnel during 2025, receiving 115 formal grievances throughout the year. This surge highlights growing public concerns regarding police conduct and procedural adherence in the coastal state.
Three-Year Complaint Data Reveals Persistent Challenges
Over the last three years, a total of 256 complaints have been filed against police personnel across various ranks. The authority received 71 complaints in 2023, followed by 70 in 2024, before the notable jump to 115 in 2025. Currently, 134 cases remain pending before the SPCA, indicating substantial backlog challenges.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant provided crucial context, revealing that the authority was non-functional from April 13, 2018, to June 20, 2021, due to the non-appointment of a chairperson and members. "A total of 84 cases were pending during this period. Since the reconstitution of the SPCA on June 21, 2021, all cases have been disposed of, with only nine currently pending," Sawant explained.
Nature of Complaints: FIR Registration Issues Dominate
Most complaints centered around police refusal to register First Information Reports (FIRs), a fundamental right for citizens seeking legal recourse. Additional grievances included allegations of personnel assaulting complainants when FIR registration was requested. In one documented case, a complainant reported harassment by police during the FIR filing process.
Other significant complaints involved abuse of power and arrests conducted without valid reasons. These patterns suggest systemic issues in police-public interactions that require attention.
Historical Context and Recent Developments
In 2014, the state government issued a memorandum restricting the SPCA from taking suo motu cognisance of police misconduct. This controversial move drew criticism from activists and the public, particularly as complaint numbers have increased over the past five years.
The SPCA has recommended disciplinary proceedings against several police officers and directed some to perform social service as corrective measures. This unique approach requires offending officers to educate members of 10 village panchayats about the SPCA's functioning and procedures, creating both punishment and awareness.
Operational Challenges and Systemic Improvements
Sawant emphasized that case disposal depends on external factors including the presence of complainants and respondents, along with evidence submission. These variables cause certain cases to remain pending or require extended processing times.
The SPCA has implemented a prioritization strategy, focusing on cases pending for longer periods while attempting to balance hearings for new complaints. Additionally, the authority has adopted the Court Management System developed by Goa Electronics Ltd for quasi-judicial authorities.
"Such authorities are deemed to be courts for specific purposes, and their proceedings constitute judicial proceedings. Therefore, the state government has a limited role restricted to administrative and financial matters," Sawant clarified regarding governmental involvement.
Timeline Challenges for Case Resolution
When questioned about establishing timelines for early disposal of pending complaints, Sawant explained that the SPCA conducts judicial proceedings similar to courts. Case disposal depends on various external factors, making fixed timelines impractical for pending complaints.
The combination of increased complaints, historical operational gaps, and procedural complexities presents ongoing challenges for the SPCA as it works to address police misconduct concerns while maintaining judicial integrity in its proceedings.
