Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a dramatic escalation of the cash-for-jobs scandal, accused Pooja Naik has reportedly identified three senior figures—Minister Sudin Dhavalikar, IAS officer Nikhil Desai, and PWD Principal Chief Engineer Uttam Parsekar—as the key beneficiaries of the alleged multi-crore recruitment racket. Naik claimed the irregularities occurred during the period she was associated with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) office.
According to Naik, she collected around ₹17 crore from nearly 600 job seekers across Goa, believing the money would secure them government posts. She alleged that the entire amount was handed over to the trio and warned she would publicly expose all involved if the money is not returned.
Naik further claimed that most of the bribes—primarily in ₹2,000 notes—were handed over between 2019 and 2022, with transactions allegedly taking place at the Goa Secretariat and two locations in Porvorim. She said she had known the minister involved since 2012–13, and that he introduced her to the senior IAS officer and the PWD engineer. The individual she referred to is currently part of the 12-member Goa Cabinet, a revelation that prompted Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to order a Crime Branch inquiry.
Naik said she has already disclosed the names to investigating officers and questioned why they have not been formally included in the case.
Police recently recorded another detailed statement from her at Bicholim Police Station. North Goa SP Rahul Gupta confirmed the development, stating that authorities are “examining her claims.”
The scandal surfaced in 2024 after multiple complaints were lodged with Goa Police accusing Naik of accepting large sums in exchange for job assurances. Police action led to 27 arrests, and FIRs were registered in six talukas. Naik, arrested last year, was granted bail in November 2024 and maintains that she has been attempting to reimburse applicants on her own because “the real recipients” have not come forward with the funds. She asserted that none of the 600 applicants ultimately secured employment.
The complaint also mentions another accused, Deepashree Gawas alias Deepashree Prashant Mahato, said to be close to Sulakshana Sawant. Another accused, Parab, admitted to handing over ₹3.88 crore collected from 44 applicants seeking government jobs.
