Goa BJP minister Mahadev Naik under ACB scanner for 'misusing' housing loan

PANAJI: Goa Industries Minister Mahadev Naik is likely to be questioned by state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) after an activist accused him of diverting his home loan for buying a commercial property.

In his complaint lodged before the ACB, Aires Rodrigues accused Naik, a BJP MLA, of fraudulently investing for business the loan he had secured from state secretariat to buy a flat.

Rodrigues told police that the "minister misused a housing loan scheme for purchasing commercial property" and that the fraud is worth Rs 30 lakh.

When contacted, Naik refuted the allegations.

"I am ready to face any inquiry. I have paid back the entire amount," he told PTI.

A senior ACB officer, on the condition of anonymity, said they will have to summon Naik to record his statement in the matter.

"We have to investigate the complaint only after recording statement of the minister," he said.

Police have also decided to get all the relevant documents from the minister.