Panaji: Errant head clerk of the Institute of Psychiatry and Human Behaviour (IPHB) Pratik Gawas has been arrested by the Agassaim police, two days after his suspension for alleged fraud of Rs 23.91 lakh approx.
He has been arrested under section 316 (5) of BNS, based on a complaint filed by Prof. Dr. S. M. Bandekar, IPHB Director. North SP Akshat Kaushal stated that the 36-year-old UDC has confessed to the crime.
As per the complaint, Gawas, who was responsible for handling salary bills, LIC statements, and third-party deductions for the institute, allegedly transferred public funds amounting to Rs. 23,91,402 into his personal bank accounts between 2020 and 2024 years. The funds were diverted into his accounts at Canara Bank's St Cruz branch and the SBI branch in Bambolim.
"Gawas was apprehended and thoroughly interrogated at length wherein he has confessed to the commission of the crime. Accordingly he was placed under arrest at 13.00 hrs today," the SP said.
