Goa Chief Minister's Wife Sues AAP MP For Rs 100 Crore Over Job Scam Charge

Sulakshana Pramod Sawant, wife of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, has filed a Rs 100 crore defamation suit against Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, accusing the MP of making defamatory statements linking her to a "Cash-for-Jobs Scam" in Goa during a press conference on December 4.

Sulakshana Pramod Sawant filed the defamation suit in the Civil Judge Senior Division Court in Bicholim, Goa, against Sanjay Singh.

According to an official press note, the allegations claim that Sanjay Singh linked Sulakshana Sawant to a "Cash-for-Jobs Scam" in Goa, claiming she was involved in corrupt practices.

"These statements were broadcast live on multiple national and regional news channels and shared widely on social media platforms like YouTube, where they have garnered significant views," said the allegations.

The defamation suit asserts that these false accusations were made without any credible evidence, causing harm to Sulakshana Sawant's integrity and public image.

The statements made by Mr Singh, according to the lawsuit, were not only damaging but were also broadcasted and shared extensively, amplifying the false allegations.

"The defamation occurred during a press conference where Sanjay Singh made direct accusations against Sulakshana Sawant's integrity and her involvement in the scam, thereby damaging her reputation," said the press note.

As per an official press note, the legal action sought by Sulakshana Pramod Sawant includes seeking Rs 100 crores as damages for defamation, a permanent injunction against Sanjay Singh and his associates, restraining them from making or publishing defamatory statements, videos, or articles about Mrs Sawant on any platform, including social media.

Mrs Sawant has also demanded a public apology from Mr Singh, clarifying the falsehood of his statements and the defamatory video, article.

She has also sought an injunction to prevent further defamatory statements by Singh or his associates during the course of the suit.

Further, Mrs Sawant has requested the court to grant the costs of the suit and any other appropriate reliefs.

As per the press note, the baseless and defamatory statements made by Sanjay Singh are

- "....Over the past 10 years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government has been involved in corruption and bribery under the guise of job creation. Even the wife of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has been named in the scandal, along with several of his ministers."

- "This is not a small issue--it is a massive job scam involving corruption and bribery in Goa, with direct involvement from the Chief Minister and his ministers. The names of the Chief Minister's wife and various brokers have been revealed."

- "This job bribery scam became even more serious when the then-Governor, Satyapal Malik, publicly stated that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's wife was involved in the job scam, accepting bribes for jobs, committing corruption, and demanding money."

- "This clearly indicates that the Chief Minister of Goa and his entire family are involved in accepting bribes under the pretence of offering jobs."

- "The name of the Chief Minister's wife surfaced, and the entire scam was revealed through an audio recording of an MLA discussing financial transactions. This shocking revelation implicated BJP office bearers, the Chief Minister's wife, the woman the Chief Minister met, and the MLA. The scam has been ongoing since 2014, with jobs being sold for bribes."

Reacting to the lawsuit, BJP leader Giriraj Pai Vernekar said, "Sanjay Singh made some derogatory remarks where he alleged that CM and his family are involved in this (Job scam) and he has not been able to substantiate his allegations or give any proof. Sulakshana Sawant, in-charge of BJP Goa Mahila Morcha and wife of CM, has filed a defamation suit of Rs 100 crores. As per my information, the court has issued a notice and the next hearing will be somewhere in January."

Another BJP MLA Krishna V Salkar also spoke to ANI over the lawsuit and said, "In the job scam, Chief Minister's wife had come and allegations were made on her and it is not right. Till now we have seen Sulakshana, Chief Minister's wife do the work of a party worker. To defame Chief Minister, dragging the family to this is not right. We have filed a defamation case. Since this job scam has come, Chief Minister has decided to take strict action against the culprits."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)