Superintendent Sachin Sharma joined the Northern Territory Police Force in 2004 and from September 2023 acted in the role of Assistant Commissioner Domestic Violence & Youth.
With his job already on the line during a restructure in late 2023, the 47-year-old gave evidence at an inquest into the domestic violence deaths of four Indigenous women.
Asked about being "moved out" of his role, he told the coronial probe he was unable to continue in the position after it moved from Darwin to Alice Springs.
In a Federal Court lawsuit against the territory government and the police commissioner filed in December, Mr Sharma claims he was falsely accused of talking to the media during the inquest.
"This might unsettle you Sachin," then acting deputy commissioner Martin Dole allegedly said at a February 2024 meeting.
"In the very recent past, you spoke to the media and criticised the commissioner about moving you from your role. If faced with this same situation again, how would you deal with it?"Â
Mr Sharma says he denied speaking to the press, saying he was testifying at the inquest.
He says this "unfair and capricious interview" meant then police commissioner Michael Murphy did not promote him into the assistant commissioner role.
Mr Dole is the current NT police commissioner after Mr Murphy was sacked over findings from the territory's corruption watchdog that he helped recruit one of his mates.
Mr Sharma claims the government and commissioner took adverse action against him due to complaints he made about the restructuring and his coronial evidence.
He is seeking compensation and pecuniary penalties, saying he has suffered psychological damage and the loss of future income.
In its defence, the territory government said the 47-year-old did not have standing to sue because, as a member of the NT Police Force, he had not been employed by either the government or police commissioner.
It has denied taking adverse action.
The police commissioner's defence added that Mr Sharma had not been appointed to the role of assistant commissioner because three other candidates had been preferred.
On Monday, the territory government and commissioner lost a court bid to suppress the pleadings ahead of mediation.
The application was supported by Mr Sharma but opposed by lawyers from the ABC.
Justice Stephen McDonald found the pleadings should be kept open and that there was a public interest in the media reporting allegations against public officials.
The matter will return to court on April 2.
13°C