PANAJI
With police unable to trace him in alleged job fraud, Ajit Shankwalkar is suspected to be hiding at a temple in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg district.
Panaji police sources said Shankwalkar has allegedly switched off his mobile phone, while his family members reportedly stated they are unaware of his whereabouts.
Police have, however, received information from people acquainted with him that he may have gone to a temple in Sindhudurg, where he is known to seek refuge during stressful periods.
“He usually goes to visit this temple when he is stressed out. There is a likelihood he might be there at present,” sources said, quoting people familiar with him.
Shankwalkar has been absconding since the alleged fraud came to light on Thursday, after Manoj Talekar walked into the Commissioner of Excise’s office with a forged government order claiming he had been appointed to a post in the department.
He allegedly signed official documents before an alert employee noticed something amiss and raised the alarm.
Subsequent inquiry revealed that Talekar had allegedly paid Shankwalkar around Rs 27 lakh in instalments for a government job and received a forged appointment order that he apparently believed to be genuine.
With this FIR, Shankwalkar is booked in another case wherein Talekar family paid separate Rs 25 lakh for a Deputy Director post in Accounts Department for his sister, which was never provided. Police teams are formed to trace the accused.
