Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: With prime accused Ajit Shankhwalkar still absconding in the alleged fake government job scam, his wife Rupali Ajit Shankhwalkar has approached the North Goa Additional Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail after being named as a co-accused in the case.
The court has issued notice to Panaji Police on her anticipatory bail application and directed the investigating officer to file its say by October 26.
According to officials, Rupali’s name was added to the case following scrutiny of financial transactions allegedly linked to the fraud. She approached the court after receiving a police notice directing her to appear before the investigating officer for questioning.
The alleged scam came to light on Thursday when Manoj Talekar walked into the Commissioner of Excise’s office in Panaji with a purported government order claiming that he had been appointed to a post in the department. He allegedly signed official documents before an alert employee noticed irregularities and raised the alarm.
Subsequent inquiry reportedly revealed that Talekar had paid around ₹27 lakh to Shankhwalkar in instalments for the promised government job and received an allegedly forged appointment order that he believed to be genuine.
In a related case, the Talekar family allegedly paid a separate ₹25 lakh to Shankhwalkar for a Deputy Director post in the Accounts Department for Talekar’s sister. However, the promised appointment was reportedly never provided. With the latest FIR, Shankhwalkar faces another case linked to the alleged government job fraud.
Police have formed teams to trace Shankhwalkar, who has remained absconding since the alleged fraud surfaced.
Investigators are also examining other alleged financial dealings, including money collected on promises of government jobs and a property transaction.
