PANJIM: Old Goa police arrested a person for allegedly cheating a local of around Rs 2.60 lakh under the pretext of providing the latter a job at the Secretariat. Police stated that Vinod Desai, working in the office of Union Minister Shripad Naik in Goa, was on Wednesday arrested for allegedly running an illegal recruitment agency and cheating job seekers.
Complainant Mervin Fernandes has alleged that Desai offered to arrange for him a job as ‘senior assistant’ at Goa Secretariat provided he makes the payment of Rs 6 lakh in November 2014. Fernandes was asked to pay Rs 2 lakh advance, which was done.
“On many occasions I went to meet Desai at the office cum residence of Union Minister Shripad Naik at Sao Pedro to remind him of the job he had assured me but Desai failed to do so and neither did he refund my amount despite various requests and reminders,” the complaint copy states.
In June, the complainant said, Desai issued him a cheque of Rs one lakh which bounced due to insufficient funds. Fernandes has accused Desai of threatening him on asking for repayment of the amount. The investigation team will record the statement of a witness besides others concerning the case, a police officer said. Desai has been charged under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.
