Team Herald
PANJIM: A staffer posted in the office of the Minister of Art & Culture has been booked for misappropriating government funds during his tenure as Upper Division Clerk at the North Collectorate.
Panjim police registered an FIR against Gaurish Kerkar – suspended soon after the Comptroller of Auditor General (CAG) report exposed his misdeeds in June – under Section 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant) of Indian Penal Code.
“He was entrusted with the work of collecting receipts by the North Collectorate. He would collect cash received at the counter, give receipts to the persons towards payments made and then delete the records from the office database. This continued for many months. Until his suspension he misappropriated around Rs 1.39 lakh,” a police officer said.
Kerkar, also posted in the office of Art & Culture was suspended in June for a period of three months pending departmental inquiry. During a review meeting thereafter, the government extended his suspension by another six months.
Police sources said Kerkar will be summoned for questioning. “We are examining the documentary evidence against him as well as the CAG report. We will soon summon the accused for questioning,” the officer said. The police case registered on October 22 was kept under wraps.
