Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Goa Police Scrutinizing Cash-for-Jobs Scam Allegations, Say Claims Not Taken at Face Value
A woman named Puja Naik, accused in a scam where people allegedly paid money for government jobs, has claimed that a state minister and two officials were part of it.
She even said she paid them a lot of money over a few years.
The police are looking into these claims very carefully.
They mentioned that some of her stories don't match what they already know from other evidence.
For example, she talked about a specific flat where money was exchanged, but the police found that flat was used by students.
The police are questioning her and checking records.
Meanwhile, the opposition party is demanding a bigger inquiry, saying the government might be hiding people involved.
Goa police are carefully scrutinizing allegations made by cash-for-jobs scam accused Puja Naik.
Naik claims a state minister and two government officials were involved in the multi-crore scam, alleging she paid them Rs 17.68 crores between 2019 and 2022.
Police stated some of Naik's allegations do not corroborate with existing records and require thorough examination, noting her earlier statements did not mention officials.
Naik's claim about a specific flat used for transactions was disputed by police, who found it was occupied by students since 2019.
The Opposition Congress has demanded a judicial inquiry, accusing the government of protecting those involved.
- Who
- Goa Crime Branch, Puja Naik (accused), a state minister, two government officials, Opposition Congress
- What
- Inquiry into allegations of a multi-crore cash-for-jobs scam, with the accused claiming involvement of a state minister and officials, and police stating some claims lack corroboration.
- When
- Allegations surfaced via social media video on November 9; police addressed media on Thursday (November 13). Alleged transactions occurred between 2019 and 2022. Naik was arrested last year and is out on bail.
- Where
- Goa, with specific mention of a flat in PDA Colony near Panaji.
- Why
- To investigate alleged illegalities in securing government jobs through monetary exchanges and to scrutinize the new allegations made by the accused.
Puja Naik's Allegations
Police Scrutiny
Involvement of Officials
Puja Naik's Allegations
Puja Naik claims a state minister and two government officials were involved in the multi-crore cash-for-jobs scam, alleging she paid them Rs 17.68 crores between 2019 and 2022 for securing government jobs.
Police Scrutiny
Police state that some of Naik's allegations do not corroborate with existing records and require thorough examination, emphasizing that her claims cannot be taken at face value. Her earlier statement after arrest did not mention any government officials.
Location of Transactions
Puja Naik's Allegations
Naik alleged that transactions related to the job scam occurred in a flat in PDA Colony near Panaji.
Police Scrutiny
Police inquiries with the flat owner revealed that only hotel management students have occupied the flat since 2019, casting doubt on this specific allegation.
Government Accountability
Puja Naik's Allegations
The Opposition Congress accuses the government of protecting those involved in the racket and demands a judicial inquiry, claiming Naik had named a minister in her statement after her arrest last year.
Police Scrutiny
The Goa crime branch is conducting an inquiry and examining the contents of recorded statements to decide the future course of action, while the government has not directly commented on the allegations of protection.
- Accused
- Puja Naik
- Alleged Scam Type
- Cash-for-jobs
- Alleged Scam Value
- Multi-crore
- Alleged Payment to Officials
- Rs 17.68 crores
- Period of Alleged Transactions
- 2019-2022
- Date of Naik's Social Media Video Allegation
- November 9
- Date of Police Statement
- Thursday (November 13)
- Number of Cases Registered Against Naik
- Five
