Pooja names min, IAS, PWD officials in cash-for-jobs scam

Margao: The cash-for-govt jobs scam took a dramatic turn on Friday when the prime accused, Pooja Naik, stepped forward publicly to name three high-profile figures she alleged were central to the recruitment racket — power minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar of MGP, an IAS officer, and a senior PWD engineer.

Accompanied by state AAP president Amit Palekar, Naik appeared before reporters and revealed her role in the scam that accelerated during the 2019 mega job recruitment drive, when nearly 10,000 govt positions were advertised.Naik, who faces charges in five separate cases linked to the fraudulent recruitment operation, claimed her involvement began while she was employed at the MGP party office over a decade ago.

She alleged that even during that period, govt jobs were being traded for cash payments. Naik said the scam expanded substantially in 2019. “Dhavalikar directed me to work with the IAS officer and the PWD official,” Naik alleged. “I collected Rs 17.7 crore from 613 job seekers and delivered the funds to these two officials at a Porvorim apartment. They would openly accept the money from me.”She said that she disclosed these names to the police when she was arrested a year ago.

She said she was part of a nine-member team that collected money from job applicants, all of whom were also arrested previously. She also said that she asked them to join her in making the disclosure public, but they declined.Naik, however, said chief minister Pramod Sawant wasn’t connected with any of her dealings in the job scam. However, she raised concerns about two video recordings related to the case that were stored on her mobile phone, which was confiscated at Bicholim police station, allegedly transferred to Mardol police station, and never returned.

Naik said the video recordings could serve as evidence of the involvement of the persons she named.Naik also complained of being subjected to excessive pressure during police interrogations at the crime branch and alleged she was prompted by a DySP to provide specific statements.Palekar later said: “Naik’s statement must be recorded before a magistrate. We demand an immediate judicial investigation. The minister should be removed from his position, disciplinary measures must be initiated against the two officials, and the SP (North Goa) and the DySP concerned must be suspended.”The allegations come just a day after North Goa SP Rahul Gupta told reporters that police investigations were unable to corroborate Naik’s allegations, including the alleged cash transfers at the Porvorim location. He also said that though Naik named a politician, she did not accuse him.