PANAJI
The Crime Branch on Thursday said that its preliminary inquiry into the jobs-for-cash case has so far found no evidence implicating any government functionary.
The prime accused, Pooja Naik, has also not accused any minister in her statement to the inquiry officers, contrary to her claim in an interview with Prudent Media last week.
Addressing a press conference at the Crime Branch office in Ribandar, Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Rahul Gupta said that after four days of preliminary inquiry, there is nothing on record to substantiate Naik’s allegations “as of now.”
“There is nothing on record regarding any government functionaries. In her statement, she mentioned two government functionaries (an IAS officer and a PWD officer) and gave details about how the transactions allegedly took place. We have not found any evidence to corroborate the allegations so far,” Gupta said.
He clarified that although she has named people in her statement, Naik has not accused the minister of involvement.
Naik had claimed that bribe money was exchanged at two Porvorim offices and even at the Secretariat between 2019 and 2021. The SP, however, stated that this claim also did not stand scrutiny.
“We questioned the owner of one flat, who told us that only hotel management students had been staying there, and that no government official or suspicious activity took place at the premises. Hence, this particular allegation has not been corroborated,” Gupta said.
The Crime Branch is conducting the inquiry under Section 173(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which allows 14 days before registering an FIR.
The Crime Branch initiated its probe after the interview surfaced, wherein Naik alleged that cash of Rs 17.68 crore was paid to a minister and the two officers, on behalf of over 600 government job aspirants between 2019 and 2020.
The SP also noted that Naik herself faces multiple criminal cases, indicating her allegations are not trustworthy without evidence. “She is an accused in five cases and was released from jail in November last year. Out of these, three have been charge-sheeted and two are still under investigation. Since she has a criminal background, her allegations must be corroborated with independent evidence. Prima facie, the face value of her statement cannot be accepted,” he said.
Despite the lack of corroboration so far, the SP maintained that all allegations are being examined thoroughly. “We are still within the 14-day timeframe under BNSS. Whatever emerges, whether it warrants registration of an FIR or departmental action, will be decided accordingly,” he said.
Responding to media queries, Gupta refused to reveal the names of the officers mentioned by Naik. “Anyone can make allegations, but until there is supporting evidence, we cannot name anyone publicly,” he said.
On whether the officers had been questioned, he added, “The procedure for inquiry against officers is different, under the Prevention of Corruption Act. We are following due process as per the law.”
He further clarified that assets and properties linked to the earlier job scam have already been recovered and the remaining portions are under process.
