Panaji: A man who allegedly paid Rs 27 lakh to secure a government job was detained by Goa Police on Thursday after he turned up at the State Excise Department with an appointment letter and briefly occupied the chair of the state’s Additional Excise Commissioner, officials said.
The accused, identified as Manoj Talekar, claimed he had been appointed to the post, which was vacant following the transfer of the incumbent, Asvin Chandru, an IAS officer.
The matter came to light on Thursday after suspicious department staff contacted the police to verify the appointment letter produced by Talekar.
A senior Panaji police official said that the person was detained and FIR was impersonation was filed against him when they received information from the Excise Department.
During questioning, Talekar allegedly told the police that he had paid Rs 27 lakh to one Ajit Shankhwalkar, who had promised him a government job. In return, Shankhwalkar allegedly handed him an appointment letter and asked him to take charge as Goa’s Additional Excise Commissioner, the official said.
The department staff checked the purported appointment with senior government officials and found that no such order had been issued, prompting them to alert the police.
Talekar had produced an order allegedly signed by the previous Excise Commissioner appointing him to the post, the official said.
Police have registered an FIR and are investigating the case. Efforts are also underway to trace Shankhwalkar, the official added.
