A SENIOR inspector accused of perverting the course of justice was cleared yesterday after the case against him collapsed. David Khosa, 32, blamed 'bad apples' within police ranks for bringing charges against him. He was acquitted after prosecutor Wayne Moultrie said he could no longer ask Judge Jackson to return a guilty verdict. The judge ruled on Tuesday that a statement Mr Khosa gave the Internal Investigations Department could not be used as evidence. Judge Jackson said it would be unfair and in violation of the Bill of Rights if the Crown produced the statement. The anti-triad officer was not warned his testimony might be used against him. It is the second time in just over six months he has been cleared of criminal charges. He was acquitted of attempting to pervert the course of justice last July. Fellow officer Senior Inspector Peter Pannu, 31, has faced a string of allegations ranging from assault to accepting bribes. None has been proven. But the two suspended anti-triad officers are still facing police disciplinary hearings. After the hearing yesterday, Mr Khosa said he felt vindicated and was not surprised by the Crown's move, nor considered himself lucky to have been freed. There were now no outstanding charges against him or Mr Pannu, he said. He said he had no idea why they had been targeted and said there must be 'some problems' within the Organised Crime and Triad Bureau and the Independent Commission Against Corruption. 'I have no doubt that the police force is a very efficient but, like any other establishment in Hong Kong, there are bad apples and no one can dispute that,' Mr Khosa said. He said he and Mr Pannu had filed complaints that claimed abuses of police power had landed them in court. He hoped they would be properly investigated. Mr Khosa said he was not bitter and added he hoped he would be allowed to return his job. Yesterday, Judge Jackson granted costs to the defence after applications by Lawrence Lok QC and Christopher Grounds. Mr Khosa and his cousin, Brar Balkar Singh, 37, had denied perverting the course of justice. Mr Brar was also acquitted yesterday. Last week, the Crown withdrew a statement against him.
