The state government has removed a member of the Police Accountability Commission Dr H Carol Dsouza for her serious misconduct, moral turpitude and “illegal demands related to official matters”.
A government order signed by Dr. P.K. Chakravarty secretary on Tuesday (July 02) said, “in exercise of the powers under Section 63 of the Tripura Police Act, 2007, and in light of the findings and recommendations of the Tripura Human Rights Commission, the Governor ordered the removal of Dr. H.C. Dsouza from the office of the Member, Tripura Police Accountability Commission with immediate effect”.
“Hence, said Dr. H.C. Dsouza is stood released from the said office forthwith on the day she receives this order. Dr. H.C. Dsouza is directed to hand over all official responsibilities, documents, and properties of the Commission in her possession to the competent authority without delay”, the order added.
According to sources Dr H Carol Dsouza was appointed as a Member of the Police Accountability Commission following notification of August 03, 2023.
But soon after her appointment, allegations of financial corruptions and irregularities using her position as the member of the powerful Police Accountability Commission were being raised from various corners and individuals.
However, it was after one Dipak Lal Dhar, of Belonia lodged a formal complaint in 2023 to Tripura Human Rights Commission (THRC) against Dr. Dsouza, the probe against her began. Dhar in his complaint alleged serious misconduct and misbehavior, including illegal demands related to official matters by her.
In response the THRC conducted an inquiry into the complaint. The THRC during the probe found merit in the allegations against Dr. Dsouza. As the Human Right Commission found Dr Dsouza guilty of ‘proven misconduct’ it issued the final order on January 17 this year. The THRC in its order recommended action against said Dr. Dsouza as it observed Dr. Dsouza ‘grossly misused her official position and her acts amounted moral turpitude’.
Although every proceeding before the Human Rights Commission is deemed to be a judicial proceeding under section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, Dr Dsouza in adherence to the principle of Natural justice was served a show cause notice on May 22 this year which provided her an opportunity to respond to the allegations and the findings of the THRC. Dr Dsouza replied on May 27 against the show cause notice. This reply was also considered alongside the findings of the THRC. Legal opinion of the Law Department was also taken. In all the proceedings relating to her reply the government did not find it satisfactory. It concluded that the actions of Dr. Dsouza, as a public servant, constituted ‘a grave misconduct and breach of trust’.
It was then the state government ‘in the interest of upholding public trust and integrity’, decided to remove said Dr. Dsouza as a Member of the Police Accountability Commission, Tripura
