Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Crime Branch has found no corroborative evidence so far in the sensational job scam allegations made by accused-turned-whistleblower Pooja Naik, who claimed to have paid a total of ₹17.68 crore to two government officials between 2019 and 2022 in exchange for securing government jobs in various agencies.
The enquiry, being conducted under Section 173(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), is still underway. Senior officers said Naik, who faces five criminal cases across Goa and was released on bail on November 21, 2024, has been interrogated twice by the Crime Branch, including a recent five-hour questioning session.
According to SP Crime Rahul Gupta (IPS), while Naik has made several sweeping claims, many of her allegations are not supported by existing records. “The enquiry is ongoing. The allegations made by Pooja Naik cannot be taken at face value. A few of her statements prima facie do not corroborate with other available evidence and hence require detailed examination,” Gupta stated.
Among the allegations under scrutiny is a claim that large cash transactions took place in a flat at the PDA Colony. However, the Crime Branch has verified ownership and tenancy records, which reveal that only hotel management students have occupied the flat since 2019.
Investigators are also looking into claims of hundreds of victims who allegedly paid large sums under the promise of government jobs. “We are carefully scrutinizing each aspect of the statements recorded and will decide the future course of action based on findings,” the SP added.
For now, officials maintain that while the inquiry remains active, no concrete or corroborative material has emerged to substantiate Naik’s explosive allegations.
