
PANAJI: In light of recent developments in the Siddique case, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has demanded the release of all CCTV video footage from December 12, 2024, and the formation of a new team of police officials to carry out the investigation impartially.
AAP Working President Valmiki Naik and General Secretary (Campaign and Communication) Francis Coelho met with the Director General of Police (DGP) to raise serious concerns over accusations made in a sensational video made by the absconding Siddique.
Valmiki Naik stated, “The DGP’s team has released a selective video showing Constable Amit Naik and Siddique walking out of the Crime Branch. However, in a recently surfaced video, Siddique has claimed he was not escaping custody but was taken out by two police teams, including SP Crime Branch Rahul Gupta and others who later assaulted him in the presence of Deputy Speaker Joshua D’Souza. These claims demand thorough scrutiny. Instead of giving us just the ‘trailer,’ the DGP should release the full picture by sharing all CCTV footage, which will reveal the truth.”
Highlighting discrepancies Naik added, “The constable is seen casually escorting the accused, without any fear or haste. Generally, when someone escapes custody, they are in a hurry to avoid capture. Here, the scenario is completely different. This strengthens Siddique’s claim that police teams were involved in helping him.”
Naik also demanded the formation of a new investigation team, stating that the current officials involved in the case, particularly after accusations against the SP and a politician, are under suspicion.
Naik said, “Over the past few months, we have seen a DGP removed due to his involvement in the Assagao demolition case and a Chief Secretary removed due to Land Conversion case. Now the involvement of SP and other police officials in this issue proves that law and order has completely collapsed under the Sawant government.”
Taking a strong stand against the BJP government, Naik called for the resignation of the Chief Minister and stated, “We demand the Governor of Goa to take suo moto action and implement President’s Rule due to complete collapse of governance and law & order. We don’t want just the CM to be replaced, because we know many BJP leaders are eyeing the CM position but will continue the same misgovernance. The entire BJP government must be removed, as there is no control over governance and a state cannot run with such a pathetic law & order machinery.”
Naik further criticised the BJP’s silence on the matter. He added, “Usually, BJP counters our press conferences within hours. However, after Siddique’s claims, neither the Home Minister nor BJP leaders have spoken. It has been over 15 hours, and their deafening silence indicates there may be truth to Siddique’s allegations. They are merely making Amit Naik and Siddique scapegoats.”
Francis Coelho emphasised that Constable Amit Naik’s family believes he is being framed to shield others’ wrongdoings. “The family has questioned why Amit Naik would commit suicide after coming to Goa and surrendering to the police. If he had such intentions, he would have done it in Hubali itself. Additionally, police officials are reportedly preventing family members and even Amit Naik’s lawyer from meeting him, which raises further doubts about the officials’ actions,” Coelho said.
AAP urges the DGP to take immediate action to Release all CCTV footage recorded on December 12, 2024, to bring clarity to the incident, form a new, impartial team of police officials to investigate the matter thoroughly and ensure transparency and access to Amit Naik’s family members and legal counsel.