PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Saturday assured a thorough investigation into the alleged fake Excise Commissioner appointment scam and warned of strict action against all those involved.
“The police are investigating the case. Everything will be investigated and stern action will be taken,” Sawant said while speaking on the controversy during Saturday’s post-Cabinet meeting press conference.
Sawant said the accused, one Ajit Shankwalkar, would face arrest and even attachment or sealing of his property if required. He also made it clear that no one would be spared, including police personnel, if their involvement was established during the probe.
“If any police officials are found involved, they too will face strict action,” Sawant said in the context of claims that the accused was often seen in the corridors of power in the company of a prominent SP-rank police officer.
The Chief Minister described the incident as unfortunate and expressed concern that educated people were continuing to fall prey to such fraudulent schemes. He urged the public to exercise caution and verify claims relating to government jobs and appointments.
The case came to light earlier this week after a man reportedly approached the Excise Department claiming that he had been appointed as the Excise Commissioner. He is said to have produced an appointment order purporting to confirm his posting.
Department officials, however, found the document to be fake, prompting a senior official to file a formal police complaint, following which an investigation was launched.
The alleged appointment letter reportedly carried the signature of a former Excise Commissioner and was used to convince the victim that the appointment was genuine.
Police have since registered a case against Shankwalkar, a resident of Taleigao, in connection with the alleged fraud.
The complaint was lodged by the father of the victim, who claimed that the accused had collected more than Rs 50 lakh on the promise of securing government jobs for his son and daughter.
According to the complaint, the accused allegedly assured the family of appointments in government service and later handed over what has now been identified as a fake appointment letter naming the victim as Excise Commissioner.
The accused is reportedly absconding, and police said efforts were on to trace him.
The bizarre episode, which saw the victim present himself for one of the State’s top excise posts using forged documents, has raised serious questions about the audacity of job rackets and the methods employed to deceive job seekers.
