PANAJI
More than a month after the alleged Excise jobs-for-cash scam surfaced, Goa police have finally issued a lookout circular against prime accused Ajit Shankhwalkar, who has been absconding since October 8 and is suspected to have fled Goa.
The circular carries a photograph of Shankhwalkar, reportedly taken at a police officer’s office, with the instruction ‘Keep a sharp lookout. If the person is traced, immediately inform Panaji Police Station.’”
The move follows mounting criticism from civil society groups and the Opposition over the police’s failure to trace Shankhwalkar, who has been wanted since the day the scam surfaced.
A wine shop owner, Shankhwalkar allegedly posed as a police sub-inspector, often wearing khaki trousers, police boots and occasionally a full uniform. He allegedly used his claimed police connections and visits to politicians’ offices to convince people he could secure government jobs for money.
The racket surfaced when Manoj Talekar walked into the Excise Commissioner’s office with a forged appointment order, assumed charge and signed official papers before staff exposed the impersonation.
Police subsequently found that Talekar had allegedly paid Shankhwalkar Rs 27 lakh for the post. His family also allegedly lost Rs 80 lakh over a Porvorim Comunidade plot never handed over and Rs 25 lakh for his sister’s promised accountant’s job, taking the alleged fraud to Rs 1.32 crore. Police froze Shankhwalkar’s bank account and launched searches.
