Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has directed a comprehensive investigation after one of the prime accused in the state’s alleged cash-for-jobs racket claimed that a cabinet minister, a senior bureaucrat, and an engineer were key players in the scam.
Accused Puja Naik Drops Explosive Allegations
Puja Naik, arrested in 2024 for her involvement in the multi-crore recruitment fraud, released a video on social media on Friday making sensational allegations. In the video, she asserted that she had collected large sums of money from job seekers on behalf of a serving minister in the Sawant administration, along with an IAS officer and an engineer.
Naik further alleged that the three officials had failed to return nearly ₹17 crore, which had been taken from various aspirants who were promised jobs in government departments.
Chief Minister Promises Impartial Investigation
Responding to the claims, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that Naik’s statement will be officially recorded under judicial supervision.
“Her testimony will be taken in the presence of a magistrate and the police. If she has names to reveal, let her do so,” Sawant said on Sunday. He added that strict legal action will follow once the charges are verified through a transparent investigation process.
The Origins of the Cash-for-Jobs Scandal
The controversy dates back to October 2024, when Puja Naik was taken into custody for allegedly accepting hefty payments from unemployed youth in exchange for fake job assurances. Police stations across Goa — including those in Ponda and Bicholim — had received multiple complaints accusing Naik and her associates of running an elaborate recruitment racket.
Preliminary findings revealed that numerous candidates had paid huge amounts, hoping to secure government positions. The scam triggered widespread public anger, exposing deep-seated corruption within recruitment systems.
Political and Public Outcry
Naik’s latest revelations have ignited a political storm in Goa. Opposition leaders have demanded complete transparency in the investigation and immediate disciplinary action against any officials involved. Civil society groups, too, have called for the probe to be expedited so that victims can get justice.
Next Steps in the Case
The Goa Police are expected to question Puja Naik again this week to obtain a detailed account of her claims. Depending on her testimony, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) may expand the inquiry to include high-ranking officials named in her statement.
Reiterating his government’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, CM Sawant stated, “No one—no matter how powerful—will be spared if found guilty.”
