Corruption Watch

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<b>Central minister Virbhadra Singh, wife booked for corruption</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Union Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh have been booked for corruption by police in Himachal Pradesh, officials said Tuesday. The complaint against them was on the basis of a CD released in May 2008.

"Virbhadra Singh and his wife Pratibha Singh were booked Monday night by the state vigilance and anti-corruption bureau under relevant sections of the IPC (Indian Penal Code)," Inspector General of Police (Vigilance) S.R. Mardi told IANS.

Mardi said they were booked on the basis of an audio CD released by Virbhadra Singh's political adversary Vijai Singh Mankotia last year. <b>In the CD, Virbhadra Singh was heard referring to some monetary transactions on phone with former IAS officer Mahinder Lal, who is dead. The CD also contained recordings of his wife, a former MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh</b>.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Don't come fishing for account details: Swiss banks</b>
pioneer.com
PTI | New Delhi
Swiss banks may have turned over client details to the US, but they have said India is not welcome there on a name-fishing expedition. "Swiss law and even OECD's Model Tax Convention do not permit fishing expeditions, in other words, the indiscriminate trawling through bank accounts in the hope of finding something interesting.

This means that India cannot simply throw its telephone book at Switzerland and ask if any of these people have a bank account here," a top official at Swiss Bankers Association told PTI from Basel.

The secrecy shield provided by Swiss banks have always been a big issue in India, including during the campaign for this year's general elections, and the government recently said that it has approached Switzerland seeking details about bank accounts held by Indians there.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee recently informed Parliament that the government was committed to unearthing black money within and outside the country.

"Swiss authorities, I am told, have agreed for negotiations (on the issue)... We have already taken it (the issue of black money) not only with Swiss authorities but other nations as well," Mukherjee said.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

What a relief to 10 Janpath and Babus of India.

[Capt M Kumar]

<!--emo&:ind--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/india.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='india.gif' /><!--endemo--> Advocating the need for speeding up of inquiries against officials with "doubtful integrity", CBI director Ashwani Kumar today blamed the "weak" criminal justice system for encouraging corrupt practices.

"The weak criminal justice system of our country encourages corruption. Departmental trials of corruption cases go on for years and these delays encourage the dishonest to indulge in corrupt practices with impunity," he said speaking at the 17th Biennial Conference of CBI and State Anti Corruption Bureaux.http://indiatoday.intoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=111&id=58539&Itemid=1&sectionid=114&secid=0

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>PMO forces Alagiri to drop his OSD</b>
pioneer.com
J Gopikrishnan | New Delhi
<b>Vishwanathan had amassed huge benami land after becoming Minister’s aide</b>

The Prime Minister’s Office has compelled <b>Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers MK Alagiri to drop his Officer on Special Duty AK Vishwanathan, an IPS officer in the rank of Inspector General.

Alagiri appointed the IPS officer as his OSD in violation of the directives of the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC), which stated that any officer above the rank of a Joint Secretary can't be engaged as Private Secretary or OSD</b>.

Sources said the ACC, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, objected to the deputation of such a senior official on the Ministers’ staff.

Vishwanathan may have been dropped for the ostensible reasons of being an officer above Joint Secretary-level, but the PMO was flooded with various sorts of complaints.<b> A judicial inquiry is continuing in his role in the police firing at the Madras High Court premises in February during a strike by advocates when he was the Chennai Additional Commissioner of Police</b>.

The Tamil Nadu media and Opposition parties also went to town with allegations that soon after becoming the OSD,<b> Vishwanathan acquired ‘benami’ property in Madurai where Alagiri announced setting up a multi-crore chemical factory and drug manufacturing unit.</b>

The Opposition parties and media reports alleged that Vishwanathan had amassed land in the name of relatives and newly-floated companies in Madurai after becoming the OSD. This huge purchase was done just before Alagiri made announcements on big chemical and drug projects in his constituency, Madurai. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Capt M Kumar]

<!--emo&:ind--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/india.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='india.gif' /><!--endemo--> Chief Justice of India K. G. Balakrishnan on Saturday favoured statutory provision for seizure of illegal properties and assets of government officials convicted in corruption cases.

He also wanted specialised teams of lawyers to ensure that they will progressively develop expertise in prosecuting corruption-related cases.

"If a public official amasses wealth at the cost of public, then the state is justified in seizing such assets," Balakrishnan said at a national seminar on 'Fighting Crimes related to Corruption´.
http://news.in.msn.com/national/article.as...umentid=3221022

[Guest]

<b>Austerity only for Cong</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Pranab Mukherjee today “clarified” his diktats were applicable only to Congress ministers and MPs and not to those of allies like Pawar and Abdullah, a day after UPA ministers carped about the finance ministry’s fresh austerity measures banning first-class air travel, foreign junkets and entertainment in five-star hotels.

“It is up to the other political parties to decide (what they wish to do). It is a coalition government and our decisions are in respect to the Congress ministers and MPs,” said Mukherjee.

“These austerity measures are not new, they were there. But when our position was comfortable, when the growth rate was high, they were not strictly adhered to.”

<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This is not very clear, does that mean ministers and family can buy economy and Business class tickets and will not be bump-up to first class, as these moron always do? Does that means now seats number 1,2 ,3 ,4 ,5 are not for moron ministers and Babus?
Guys and gals, make sure while traveling refuse to vacate 1,2,3,4,5 seats for Ministers , in case they ask, make sure take pictures of Morons and we can have gallery of those in our forum.

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Koda arrest imminent</b>
pioneer.com
PNS | Ranchi/Patna
<b>4 note-counting machines found at house; diary listing booty mentions ‘Lalu’</b>

The reported move of the Enforcement Directorate and the<b> I-T department to arrest Madhu Koda any moment in the multi-crore money laundering case is giving sleepless nights to many top politicians across the country, especially in Bihar and Maharashtra. RJD chief Lalu Prasad’s name on Thursday allegedly figured on the list of those who received a slice of Koda’s ‘tainted’ cake, prompting the BJP to seek a probe into his role in the “loot of the State”.</b>

The arrest of Koda has become imminent mainly because the ED is satisfied with the evidence against him for allegedly carrying out hawala transactions and massive illegal investments in various companies. <b>The ED wants to thoroughly quiz the former CM, who is believed to have shared his booty with many political patrons.</b>

<b>On Wednesday, the I-T officials had sealed Koda’s Ranchi house and seized a number of documents relating to investments, four currency counting machines, jewellery, a laptop, computer hard disk and cash, sources said.</b>

The indisposed Chaibasa independent MP — <b>who is currently admitted in Apollo Hospital near Ranchi after complaining of stomachache, nausea and high BP — has now shifted from the ICU to a deluxe room. According to sources in the ED/I-T, the hospital has already been directed not to unnecessarily keep him hospitalised.</b> Sleuths are ready to arrest Koda in hospital and not to wait for his official discharge, sources added. “We have asked the doctors to update us with Koda’s health status and told them not to discharge him without informing us,” said an official.

Meanwhile, Apollo Hospital spokesperson Javed Akhtar said, <b>“His condition is stable but the doctors are constantly monitoring him. Samples — including TSH, urine culture and urine routine — have been sent for tests and the final report can be given only after we get the results.”</b>

The ED had on October 9 lodged a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against <b>Koda and three of his former colleagues — Kamlesh Singh, Bhanu Pratap Shahi and Bandhu Tirkey, along with his associate Binod Sinha and others.</b>

Even as the noose tightened around Koda, a diary seized during the raid carried out on his premises has started giving shivers to many political stalwarts who once patronised the former Jharkhand CM. A senior<b> Congress leader from Maharashtra has already called on the party chief to clarify his stand, source</b>s said.

The diary has names of a number of politicians, including “Lalu”, written on it. It was also revealed by sources that transactions had been marked against the name but whether the name refers to the RJD chief was a matter of investigation.

However, the RJD chief denied his involvement in any such transaction and demanded a probe as to who was the “Lalu” mentioned in the diary. He said there should be a thorough investigation to find out the connection of politicians with Koda, especially of the names mentioned in the diary.

<b>“I demand that even the names of all those who have Swiss bank accounts should be made public. The law will take its own course,” Lalu told mediapersons.</b> He had called a Press meet to declare his party’s alliance with the LJP and the Left in the Jharkhand poll. The former Bihar Chief Minister, who was instrumental in making Independent MLA Koda the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, was caught off guard when mediapersons quizzed him about his name cropping up in Koda’s diary.

The NDA leaders wasted no time in hitting out at Lalu.<b> “It was Lalu Prasad Yadav who had lobbied hard to install Koda at the throne of Jharkhand and Koda was known as his protege in the tribal State.</b> So Lalu’s role must be investigated in siphoning off Government money to an unbelievable proportion,” demanded Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi.

However, a visibly upset Lalu said the decision to make Koda the Jharkhand Chief Minister was a “collective decision”. He added, “If there is proof of anyone’s involvement in hawala transactions, then appropriate action should be taken. The decision to make Koda the Chief Minister was taken collectively.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>Koda aide’s kin is scam’s first victim</b>
pioneer.com
Pranav Pratyush/Vijay Deo Jha | Ranchi
<b>Vikas, brother of Binod Sinha, sent to jail</b>

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday arrested Vikas Sinha, younger brother of Binod Sinha, a close associate of <b>former Chief Minister Madhu Koda, in the Rs 2,000-crore money laundering case</b>. Vikas was later produced in a special court which sent him to jail as the special judge had a little time to hear the arguments of both the parties over judicial custody. The matter will be heard on Saturday.

Vikas was detained by ED officials on Friday afternoon under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). After a brief interrogation at the Income Tax (I-T) office in Ranchi, he was produced before special judge Pankaj Kumar and lawyers of both the parties made their submissions.

The ED requested the court to allow it to take Vikas on a 10-day judicial custody. On the other hand, Vikas’ lawyers pleaded that he was already under medical treatment in a hospital and therefore should be sent to the hospital. However, the special judge, owing to time constraints, deferred the hearing to Saturday and instructed Vikas to be sent to jail. He also instructed the jail authorities to ensure proper treatment of Vikas, if needed.

<b>Meanwhile, at the I-T office as many as five persons — Harendra Singh, Bhim Singh, Arun Kumar Shrivastava, Basant Bhattacharya and Harendra Kumar — who were summoned by the department, appeared before the investigating officers in person.</b>

Bhim Singh, whose name had figured less frequently in the case, said, “All the allegations leveled against me are totally false and baseless. If the allegations are proved right I will comply with the orders of the I-T and ED departments.”

Ujjwal Chaudhary, Director of Investigation, I-T, said, “Investigation is on in the matter as we have summoned a number of persons related with the case. We are also interrogating some people, but nothing else can be revealed at this point of time.” On the issue of arresting Koda, he said that the department would take due action provided by the law.

<b>Despite I-T department’s notice, none of the key persons — Binod Kumar Sinha, Sanjay Kumar Choudhary, Devendra Mukhiya, Manoj Punamiya and Anil Bastawde --- appeared before the office of the Additional Director of Income Tax </b>(Investigations), on Friday.

Meanwhile, a top brass of the I-T department in Ranchi, denied of having any knowledge regarding recovery of note-counting machine and any diary during the raids.<b> “I am completely unaware of what stuff have been recovered from Koda’s house in the raids. Media must avoid spreading news based on unconfirmed reports,” </b>he said.

The alleged kingpin of the multi-crore case, Madhu Koda, is recuperating at Apollo hospital. “He is getting better now but the doctors are waiting for the pathological reports. As soon as he is declared fit by doctors, he will be released from the hospital,” spokesperson of the hospital, Javed Akhtar, said. <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

<b>The search for Koda’s crores, in five countries</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>The Enforcement Directorate has written to five countries seeking details of investments there by former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda and his friends.

The five countries are Indonesia, Switzerland, UAE, Liberia and Thailand.</b>

"We are in the process of getting Letter Rogatory (a letter of request sent by a court to a foreign court) issued to the five countries to obtain the information through a formal channel,” said a directorate official . He refused to be identified.

<b>Koda and his associates are accused by the directorate of illegally transferring huge sums of money abroad for investing in various ventures, including mining, such as in Liberia.</b>

And Income Tax is investigating how Koda and his men came into so much money.

Vikas Sinha, an associate arrested earlier, has told interrogators about investments in India and abroad.

<b>Sinha’s brother Binod Sinha is alleged to have been the main person behind Koda’s crores, with another friend Sanjay Choudhary. Both are missing.</b>

<b>Vikas Sinha has admitted to managing Koda’s money  and his linkages with nine private companies worth more than Rs 100 crore, investigators said.</b>

Koda has denied the allegations. His lawyer, Rahul Kumar, told HT, “We are yet to receive any search report either from the IT or ED.”<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

<b>Madhu Koda bought 600 vehicles to please supporters</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Former Jharkhand chief minister Madhu Koda, who was, on Wednesday, interrogated for his role in a Rs 2,500 crore money laundering scam, distributed hundreds of vehicles to supporters and used the mines department and electricity board to expand his financial empire, officials in Ranchi said.

Koda, an independent Lok Sabha MP, purchased and distributed around 600 bikes, 25 to 30 Scorpios, Boleros and other four wheelers to his supporters during the Lok Sabha elections this year, officials in the income tax department said.

On Tuesday, informed sources said, IT sleuths searched two showrooms of motor bikes and four wheelers. They found that 200 bikes had been sold in one day from one showroom and have now sought help from the transport department to seek registration details.

Koda is also charged with misusing his position as mines and geology minister and later as chief minister. In the name of allocating mines, Koda allegedly sent a recommendation to the central government suggesting a list of names for the lease of 17 iron ore mines, sources said.

The state government recommends to New Delhi the allocation of bauxite and limestone as well as survey work of gold and diamonds.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Guest]

<b>No business with 7 defence firms</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The army was banking on one of the blacklisted firms, <b>Singapore Technologies</b>, for lightweight howitzers that can be swiftly deployed in the mountains for accurate artillery fire.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I worked for this company, I have no idea they deal with howitzers.

[ramana]

<!--QuoteBegin-Mudy+Nov 11 2009, 10:54 PM-->QUOTE(Mudy @ Nov 11 2009, 10:54 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin--><b>No business with 7 defence firms</b><!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->The army was banking on one of the blacklisted firms, <b>Singapore Technologies</b>, for lightweight howitzers that can be swiftly deployed in the mountains for accurate artillery fire.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I worked for this company, I have no idea they deal with howitzers.
[right][snapback]102490[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


Looks like it is beng amended. No need to cut off nose to spite face.

Govt eases arms firm blacklist rules
http://telegraphindia.com/1091112/jsp/nati...ry_11730661.jsp

<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Two banned companies — a Singaporean firm vying for a billion-dollar order for artillery guns and an Israeli arms supplier — are hoping for a reprieve after the government today said it has amended the rules under which they were blacklisted in June. The defence ministry has amended the rules that may allow the companies to participate in trials and tests but not to conclude contracts before the CBI completes its investigation.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[Capt M Kumar]

<!--emo&--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo--> “No Congress persons or Ministers were involved in the scam. Koda is trying to malign the Congress. This is a blackmailing tactic. Mere names in a diary do not make up any case. Please don’t jump into conclusions. Courts rejected these types of cases in the Jain hawala dairy case. Law will take its own course. It is malicious to implicate Congress leaders when Koda is facing charges,” Singhvi told a TV channel. The surfacing of names of one “Goyalji” and “Atul Bhai” from the Koda’s personal diary has brought into sharp focus the role of two Union Cabinet Ministers in the mutli-crore scam.

This is for the second time the Congress is embroiled in the scam after the Enforcement Directorate raided Koda’s empire. Recently, Mumbai Regional Congress Committee Kripashankar Singh’s name came up in connection with laundering of Koda’s booty.
http://www.dailypioneer.com/216141/Cornere...e-it-hurts.html
http://www.politicsparty.com/koda_scam.php

[Guest]

Entrenched corrupt netas, babus, judicary seems to be feeling the heat of RTI. Here's a petition to protect RTI.

[url="http://soochna-ka-adhikaar.blogspot.com/2009/12/please-do-not-amend-rti-act-petition.html"]Do not amend RTI petition[/url]

[Guest]

[url="http://www.hindustantimes.com/Parliament-nod-for-free-air-travel-to-ministers-relatives/H1-Article1-489328.aspx"]Parliament nod for free air travel to ministers' relatives[/url]

From now on, ministers will be able to take "any number of companions or relatives" along by air for free with Parliament giving nod to a bill providing for such facilities to them.

The Salaries and Allowances of Ministers (Amendment) Bill was on Tuesday approved by the Rajya Sabha without discussion.



It was passed by the Lok Sabha on December 18, also without discussion.

The bill entitles ministers to take along "any number of companions or relatives" by air at the same rates at which travelling allowances were payable to them and their family.

This brings the ministers on par with the facilities given to MPs.



The Statement of the Objects and Reasons of the bill said it proposed to end the discrepancy between ministers and MPs and allows the spouse or legitimate children or step-children, as also the minister's companions or relatives, to travel on their own or with the minister.

Laloo's whole brigade can travel free on tax money.

Mera Bharat Mahan.

[Capt M Kumar]

अकेले लखनऊ में 364 करोड़पति क्लर्क

24 Dec 2009, 1837 hrs IST,आईएएनएस

लखनऊ।। अपने धनी राजनीतिज्ञों और नौकरशाहों के लिए मशहूर उत्तर प्रदेश में राज्य सरकार के दफ्तरों में काम

कर रहे क्लर्क भी किसी मायने में कमतर नहीं हैं। यूपी के सतर्कता विभाग ने अपनी रिपोर्ट में अकेले लखनऊ में 364 क्लर्कों को करोड़पति बताया है। विभाग के एक अफसर ने गुरुवार को बताया कि जल्द ही इस रिपोर्ट पर उचित कार्रवाई के लिए आला अफसरों की मंजूरी ली जाएगी।

http://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/art...374762.cms

min translation: Luck-now alone has 364 crorepati clerks. And even to try them, permission has to be taken <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/angry.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':angry:' />

[Guest]

Dancing at don's party: DCP and 4 others face suspension

pioneer.com

PTI | Mumbai

In a major embarrassment to the Mumbai police, an IPS officer and four other personnel faced suspension on Saturday after they were allegedly seen dancing at a Christmas-eve party thrown by underworld don Chota Rajan.



Mumbai Police Commissioner D Sivanandan recommended the suspension of [size="5"]DCP VN Salve, an IPS officer, and ACP Prakash Wani, and three other police personnel.[/size]



The Maharashtra Government had on Friday ordered an inquiry into allegations that besides Salve and Wani, senior police inspector Tulsidas Khakkad, a police inspector of anti-extortion cell and a constable from Chembur police station, had attended the party.



"I have recommended to the State Government to initiate disciplinary action against the five policemen and suspend them pending inquiry," Sivanandan told PTI.



He said there were "CCTV footages and photographs which may prove" that the officials were present at the party held at a private gymkhana in suburban Chembur.



They were dancing to a track from a popular film based on the underworld and matching step for step with the gangster's henchmen.



The party was reportedly organised to celebrate the release of some top-ranking members of the gang. Among them were DK Rao, believed to be the right-hand man of Chota Rajan, who was released from jail after 13 years of imprisonment, Farid Tanasha and Sunil Poddar.



Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil had on Friday ordered the inquiry after photographs and grainy video footage purportedly showing them were aired on TV channels.



Meanwhile, Wani vehemently denied the accusation, claiming the video clippings and photographs were doctored.



"This is a conspiracy against me. I am a member of the gymkhana and had gone there with my wife for dinner and not to party with any gang members," he told PTI.



The party was reportedly thrown by Paulson Joseph, a close aide of Chota Rajan, who is said to be looking after the underworld don's business interests in Mumbai's suburbs.



Sources at the gymkhana said Joseph was a member of the upmarket club, which charges a membership fee of Rs five lakh, and used to go there regularly to play cards and party. Speaking strictly on condition of anonymity, they said that a member could bring along any number of guests after paying Rs 30 for each of them.



"So many people visit the club on the Christmas-eve and it is not possible to ascertain the identity of each one of them," they said when asked if they had spotted any police officer at Joseph's bash.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TypL1c_v_vw[/media]

[Guest]

4 cops suspended for attending Chotta Rajan's party



Only 4. <img src='http://www.india-forum.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/angry.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':angry:' />

[Guest]

[url="http://www.hindustantimes.com/5-cops-suspended-for-attending-don-s-party/H1-Article1-493259.aspx"]Maha Govt suspends five cops for attending underworld party[/url]

Chief Minister Ashok Chavan has today signed the suspension order of five police officials -- Salve, ACP Prakash Wani, Senior Inspector Tulsidas Khakar, Inspector Khalatkar and Constable Talu Salunke, an official in the Chief Minister's office said.

The decision to suspend the policemen was taken by the Chief Minister after holding a meeting with Home Minister R R Patil, the official said. Mumbai Police Commissioner D Sivanandan recommended their suspension on Saturday.

[Guest]

Corrupt system lies exposed

pioneer.com

Arun Nehru

The Ruchika Girhotra molestation case has gathered momentum with the media having created yet another miracle akin to the Jessica Lall, Nitish Katara, and Priyadarshini Mattoo cases. I have little doubt that former Haryana DGP SPS Rathore will get the punishment he deserves. But I wonder what will happen to the hundreds others in the police, the CBI, the judiciary and in the political establishment who shielded Rathore from the law. Ruchika committed suicide because she could not bear the harassment that her family was being put through by Rathore and his ‘friends’. Her brother was tortured and fake cases filed against him. All those complicit are still part of the system. But will the UPA Government, in addition to reforming the system, punish all these people?



The public response in this case is explosive and everyone seems to identify with Ruchika’s family. The public anger against the system over this case is palpable. Harassment, extortion and corruption have reached absurd levels in our country. I think we are going to see some remarkable changes due to this case as no Government, judiciary or bureaucracy can afford to fight the force of public opinion in a democracy. There must be hundreds and thousands of similar cases pending and some of these are bound to surface.



We now have a case of a DIG in Rajasthan who had allegedly raped a woman 13 years ago and is presently absconding. He is bound to be traced by the media in no time and again we will see a chain of events which will expose an insensitive system. Political parties can continue to score debating points over each. But it is for those in power today to use this opportunity to reform the system.



It is that time of the year again when awards are distributed. For me the award of the decade must go to the media, both electronic and print, for the rapid strides it has made, leading to greater public awareness. The days of a ‘loyal’ media are history. One can see the effects in everyday life. We are repulsed and angry whenever the media focuses on wrongdoings within the system and marvel at the spirit and courage of a few dedicated people who dare to stand up to the high and mighty.



But the system will fight back as strong vested interests exist. The test of the Government at the Centre and in Haryana will be to pursue the Ruchika case and punish all those who have contributed to the sufferings of the Girhotra family. We have reasons to be positive in our thinking as the Union Law Ministry is in the process of taking action against Rathore and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has promised to bring to justice all those who are guilty.