PANAJI: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Goa has questioned the delay in tracing Ajit Shankhwalkar, the prime accused in the alleged Rs 52 lakh government job fraud involving a forged appointment letter bearing Chief Minister Pramod Sawant’s signature. AAP Goa president Valmiki Naik, along with other party leaders, visited Panaji Police Station on Tuesday and submitted a Right to Information (RTI) application seeking details of the investigation.
The case dates back to October 9, when Manoj Talekar allegedly walked into the office of the Excise Commissioner with a letter purportedly bearing the Chief Minister’s signature, claiming that he had been appointed as Additional Commissioner of Excise-I. Talekar occupied the office and began functioning in the capacity of the commissioner before officials grew suspicious and initiated an inquiry. During questioning, Talekar allegedly revealed that he had paid Rs 52 lakh to Ajit Shankhwalkar to secure the appointment letter.
Questioning why Shankhwalkar remains untraced more than a month after the incident, Naik alleged that the accused had influential political connections and was receiving protection. "What kind of magic does he possess that he has managed to evade the entire police force of Goa?" Naik asked, pointing to photographs of Shankhwalkar with senior police officers and individuals associated with the BJP.
Naik said two FIRs had been registered in connection with the incident. One was filed by the Excise Department over the alleged attempt to commit fraud using the appointment letter, while the second followed a complaint by Talekar's family. Expressing concern over the lack of significant developments, Naik said, "More than 30 days have elapsed with zero updates in a sensational case where someone walked into a government office with a CM's forged letter and started working."
Through the RTI application, AAP has sought certified copies of both FIRs, details of the legal sections invoked, and copies of daily case diaries documenting the investigation over the past month. The party has also sought details of locations visited by investigating officers, people questioned, and whether police personnel photographed with Shankhwalkar have been summoned or questioned.
Other information sought includes details of phone numbers placed under surveillance, electronic surveillance measures adopted, residential addresses searched or raided, and whether the allegedly forged appointment letter bearing the Chief Minister's signature has been sent for forensic examination. AAP has also sought details of the evidence collected so far.
Naik said both the Excise Department and the Home Department function under the Chief Minister and demanded that Sawant explain the delay in tracing the accused. "The Chief Minister must explain who this person, Ajit Shankhwalkar, is in relation to his administration. Why have the police failed to trace him for an entire month?" he asked.
He alleged that the delay raised questions about possible political pressure on investigating agencies and whether there were instructions to go easy on the accused. Naik also questioned the effectiveness of the reported lookout notice, pointing out that Shankhwalkar had not been arrested despite more than a month having passed. "If the Goa Police force were given a completely free hand, they could track down and apprehend such an individual from anywhere in India within a single week," Naik claimed, questioning the urgency shown in the investigation.
When asked by reporters whose position could be affected if Shankhwalkar was arrested, Naik reiterated that the Chief Minister, being in charge of both the Excise and Home departments, must take responsibility and provide answers. He further alleged that the accused's arrest could expose connections at higher levels of the government.
During the interaction, Naik also referred to a separate alleged government recruitment fraud in Cuncolim, where a case has reportedly been registered over the sale of a government primary school teacher's post for Rs 12 lakh. He alleged that money was collected from an individual on the promise of securing the government job, after which the accused absconded. "Anyone is extorting money in anyone's name for government posts. That is the current state of affairs in Goa," Naik alleged.
Drawing a comparison with Punjab, Naik claimed that 70,000 government jobs had been provided under the Bhagwant Mann government since 2022 without charging applicants any money. He also questioned whether disciplinary action would be initiated against senior police officers whose photographs with Shankhwalkar have circulated publicly. AAP said it would continue to pursue the matter and demanded transparency in the investigation and the immediate arrest of the prime accused.
