Goa Cash-for-Jobs scam: ED records statement of complainants, politics heats up​on December 31, 2024 at 9:06 pm

Goa Cash-for-Jobs scam: ED records statement of complainants, politics heats up

​Goa Cash-for-Jobs scam: ED records statement of complainants, politics heats up Goa Cash-for-Jobs scam: ED records statement of complainants, politics heats up   

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday recorded statements of complainants in connection with the alleged cash-for-jobs scam in Goa under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), with the opposition hinting at potential political links.

The ED also registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) to investigate the scam and has sought detailed information from the Goa police, which has registered over 33 cases, including more than 20 FIRs in North Goa and 13 in South Goa.

Since the scam came to light in October 2024, police investigations have revealed that people were cheated with the lure of government jobs as far back as 2014-15.

Despite the arrests of over 20 individuals and the registration of cases across six of Goa’s 12 talukas— Bicholim, Bardez, Tiswadi, Ponda, Mormugao, and Canacona— the police have maintained that no political link has been found in the scam so far.

The scam first surfaced when Old Goa resident Pooja Naik was accused of duping several individuals across the state to the tune of crores of rupees under the pretext of securing them government jobs. This led to more cases being filed against individuals, some of whom have been identified as Deepashree Gawas, Priya Yadav, Sunita Pawaskar, Shruti Prabhugaonkar, and Uma Patil.

According to the police, the accused duped over 300 people by promising them jobs in various government departments, including public works, water resources, education, transport, police, and health.

Victims, many of whom were seeking stable employment for themselves or their family members, reportedly lost their life savings, while the accused used the money to fund their luxurious lifestyles.

While the ED is focusing on tracing the financial trail to uncover the full scale of the scam, critics have raised concerns about the credibility and integrity of the investigation.

Opposition parties have called for a judicial probe, claiming it is essential to unearth potential political links that may have enabled the scam to go on for years.

They argue that such a step is necessary to ensure justice for the hundreds of Goans who were deceived and to restore public trust in the state’s governance.