Cash-for-jobs scam: Goa CM’s wife files Rs 100 crore defamation suit against AAP MP Sanjay Singh

PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant’s wife, Sulakshana, on Tuesday filed a Rs 100 crore defamation suit against AAP MP Sanjay Singh in a Bicholim court after he alleged that she was involved in a cash-for-jobs scam.
“The defamation occurred during a press conference where Singh made direct accusations against Sawant’s integrity and her involvement in the scam, thereby damaging her reputation,” Goa BJP spokesperson Giriraj Pai Vernekar said.
“These statements were broadcast live on multiple national and regional news channels and shared widely on social media platforms like YouTube, where they garnered significant views,” he said.
Sulakshana in her petition has sought an injunction restraining Singh and all associated with him “from making public statements maligning the plaintiff” till the matter is pending.
The petition also requested the court to restrain Singh and his associates from republishing or sharing the video and transcripts of the “defamatory press conference” on social media websites and portals “such as Facebook, YouTube and Twitter”.
The case relates to fraudsters duping hundreds of Goans with the lure of govt jobs, inducing the victims to cough up large sums of money. The enforcement directorate has started an investigation into the matter. So far, 30 people have been arrested in the case, with the fraud amount estimated to have crossed at least the Rs 50 crore mark as of now.
Recently, the chief minister made a statement that he would file defamation cases against those making allegations against his family in the alleged scam.
The petition has urged the court to direct the defendant to publish an unconditional apology in terms to be stated by the plaintiff or in the terms the court deems fit. The apology, the petition said, must feature in a prominent place clarifying that the defamatory video or article and interview are false.
The scam has roiled the state with Goa police filing 33 cases. A govt employee has taken his life after his name figured in the case. From police personnel to senior govt officers and from teachers to individuals, who claimed to have strong political links, Goa police have made arrests in separate incidents.