SCAM/CORRUPTION – 2010 - Indian Social Institute

e a success. Their professionalism and eagerness in being part of these operations have helped us
improve our strike rate." This change in ACB's modus operandi was sparked off by an unusual decision
taken by corrupt officials of government revenue department in Mehsana. "There was an unwritten rule
among officials in Mehsana revenue department — bribes shall not be taken in the presence of any
stranger, other than the 'prey',"said ACB officials. In May a woman sarpanch of Banaskantha lodged a
complaint with the ACB that government officials of Mehsana were demanding bribe for clearing a bill for
road construction. "For the very first time we sent a woman government employee with the sarpanch for
the trap. The operation was successful and we had got an effective formula to nail corrupt officials,"said
ACB sources. This change was necessary, said ACB officials, because corrupt government officials are
now well-versed with the modus operandi of ACB. The trap would often fail because spotting a stranger
— government witness — with the victim, the corrupt official would call off the deal. (Times of India
3/7/10)
Karnataka Lokayukta withdraws resignation (5)
Bangalore, July 3: Ten days after quitting as Karnataka Lokayukta accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) government of being indifferent towards corruption, Santosh Hegde on Saturday announced his
decision to withdraw the resignation heeding appeals by top BJP leaders. "If Governor HR Bhardwaj
gives me time, I will meet him tomorrow to withdraw my resignation," Hegde, whose resignation had
created a political furore in the state, told reporters. Hegde's announcement came shortly after BJP
president Nitin Gadkari and chief minister B S Yeddyurappa called on him here and urged him to
reconsider his decision and veteran leader L K Advani also made a similar appeal. "The respect I have for
LK Advani has forced me to withdraw my resignation. It is not out of political pressure I took this decision,"
Hegde, known for his crusade against corruption, said. In his appeal issued in Delhi, Advani said "I have
known Justice Santosh Hegde for a long time. He is an eminent jurist for whom all of us have great
respect. As Lokayukta of Karnataka, he has certain concerns, I am sure the state government of
Karnataka will address them earnestly." Gadkari, in the city to attend a party convetion tomorrow, and
Yeddyurpapa in their meeting with Hegde detailed the steps the government had taken on the illegal
mining, an issue into which the Lokayukta had inquired, and promised to consider certain issues raised by
him. A delegation of senior BJP leaders from the state, including unit president K S Eswarappa and Law
Minister Suresh Kumar, had yesterday met Hedge in an attempt to mollify him but the former supreme
court judge had remained firm on his decision to demit office from August 31. Gadkari and Yeddyurappa
thanked Hegde for accepting their request for withdwing his resignation. "I express my heartful thanks to
Santosh Hegde. Advani has assured him that the party and the state government will cooperate with
him," Gadkari said. Explaining his decision to retrace his step, Hegde said Advani had not only requested
him to withdraw his resignation but also sent a message that the Karnataka government would consider
his demands on strengthening the anti-corruption watchdog. "For me Advani is like a father. He was a
close friend of my father (former Lok Sabha Speaker late K S Hegde). I cannot go against his wish. I have
to acceed to his request. Not for any political reason, but because of my love and respect for Advani, I
have decided to withdraw my resignation", he said. Hegde said Gadkari, the chief minister and the law
minister met him and "promised to consider certain demands raised by me. I am totally happy and
satisfied with the assurance". He said Yeddyurappa had given him a copy of the letter written by him to
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking policy decision to either ban export of iron ore or regulate its
exports. Asked whether he believed in the assurance given by the chief minister on conferring more
powers on Lokayukta, he said "sometimes we have to believe assurances. I trust them. If it does not
happen, then you know the consequences. I have the option to decide. My doors are open I can come in
and also go out." A relieved Yeddyurappa, who came under attack from Opposition over the Lokayukta
issue, said, "Hegde was kind enough to consider everyone's request and agreed to withdraw his
resignation. "We have the highest regard for Hegde and the institution of Lokyukta. I assure that the
Karnataka government will extend full cooperation to Hegde on the issues raised by him," Yeddyurappa
said. Union home minister P Chidambaram and the Karnataka governor besides state political leaders
and intellectuals had also appealed to Hegde, who was, however, unrelenting on his decision. (Central
Chronicle 4/7/10)
Special courts for corruption cases soon (5)
AHMEDABAD: Here is some bad news for corrupt government officials. Soon, legal proceedings in all
corruption cases in Gujarat will get on the fast track. No less than 13 special courts for anti-corruption
cases will be set up in the next three months. Sources in the state legal department said, “These courts
will be functional within the next 90 days. These courts are being set up to deal with the huge pendency
of corruption cases in Gujarat.” Till date, district courts used to hear anti-corruption cases. Owing to
prioritisation of various other legal petitions, corruption cases get delayed inordinately. The scope of the