In a significant development in the alleged cash-for-job scam in Goa, the state's crime branch has approached the court seeking permission to conduct a narco-analysis test on the prime accused, Pooja Naik. This move signals an intensification of the probe and could potentially implicate politicians and senior bureaucrats.
Court Application for Narco-Analysis Test
The Crime Branch of Goa Police has formally moved an application before a court, seeking to conduct a narco-analysis test on Pooja Naik. This step was taken after Naik herself provided written consent for the procedure. The police aim to uncover hidden information to reach a logical conclusion in the case.
The application specifically requests permission to take Naik to the Directorate of Forensic Science in Gujarat to conduct the test. The case was originally registered at the Mardol police station and later transferred to the Crime Branch for a detailed investigation.
Allegations and the Initial Investigation
Pooja Naik had made serious public allegations, claiming a massive scam where Rs 17.6 crore was paid to senior government officials in exchange for securing government jobs. She alleged that in 2012, while working at the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) office in St Inez, she was introduced by minister Ramkrishna 'Sudin' Dhavalikar to concerned government officials.
However, a month-long investigation by the Crime Branch into these allegations yielded no evidence. The inquiry conclusively found that Naik never worked at the MGP office, a fact confirmed by all officials and staff present there at the time.
Naik also claimed to have maintained a diary containing the names of 613 job aspirants and the amounts collected, which she said was handed over to a friend. During physical verification, she could not identify the friend's address or any such person. The police stated that the inquiry revealed no such diary ever existed.
Discrepancies and the Path Forward
Further investigation uncovered major inconsistencies in Naik's story. She alleged receiving a commission of Rs 30,000 per candidate, totaling Rs 20 lakh. However, no evidence was found of any fund transfers to the named officials. When questioned about handling such large sums, Naik stated she took her commission directly from candidates and that her husband sustained the family by selling fish.
"After cross-questioning, Naik now accepts that she does not know any such person personally," said Crime Branch SP Rahul Gupta, referring to the alleged friend who held the diary.
The decision to seek a narco-analysis test underscores the investigation's complexity. While the initial probe found no proof to support Naik's claims, the police are now relying on the scientific test to verify the facts and determine the truth behind the sensational allegations that have rattled Goa's political and bureaucratic circles.
