The brutal attack on S.P. Mahantesh, Deputy Director of Cooperative Audit, eerily follows the official's involvement in notifying the media about site allotment scams in Karnataka, such as the irregularities in the BEML Employees Cooperative Society.
A week before the assault, Mr. Mahantesh had handed over to The Hindu a copy of the audit report of the BEML ECS which showed several irregularities pertaining to land acquisition, layout formation and allotment of sites. The handing over of the copy had led to a lot of discussion in the office, not all being in approval of his actions.
In touch with 'The Hindu'
Mr. Mahantesh has been interacting with The Hindu since September last year, when irregularities in the allocation of land in the Judicial Employees House Building Cooperative Society layout to the former Karnataka Lokayukta, Shivaraj V. Patil had hit the headlines.
A forthcoming official
Unlike most officers in the department who created a fuss before handing over information, Mr. Mahantesh was always forthcoming: “The only way to fight corruption is through transparency.”
In the last six to eight months, Mr. Mahantesh has been involved in pointing out the extent of illegal land allotments which benefitted, among other influential people, political leaders across the spectrum and IAS and KAS officers.
Even though The Hindu had been aided by Mr. Mahantesh on details regarding the BEML ECS, when the Cooperative Audit Department was contacted, they denied he was involved with the Society's audit.
The brutal attack on S.P.Mahantesh,Depty DirectorAudit,about site allotment scams in Karnataka,in the BEML.
It was really a brave effort by Mr Mahantesh our system is perfect. It is only because of our political leaders it has lost its true identity. To show their clout to hide their corrupt image,illegal works our political leaders have spoil t the name of our legal departments.
This is the real time for all political parties to unite and help whoever comes with perfect picture of corruption to help him, protect him find out the truth if the corrupt person is from his own party or of other parties. Clearly it should be informed in all political parties from top to bottom level by their respective leaders that whoever does or is caught in any criminal, corrupt activity will be banned from politics for life. He or his family members can’t contest elections for life.Do all political parties and their leaders have the courage to bring this system in their parties if they really love India
Very sad end to a honest Officer.The case should be handed over to the CBI the prime investigating agency as powerful peoples are involved in this case.
Whoever those people involved they are not human beings. If the government is really very conscious about the law and order they must act quickly. It is shame for the government for not being arrested and identified the actual culprits of such a high profile case even after 5 days of attack.
Many thanks in advance to Hindu for high lighting this issue in future as well(Please do not allow this issue to die like others). Also request you to fight for the Social justice(for entire society not only for mahantesh) with the documents provided by Mahantesh and his family co operation. I feel an independent investigation should be conducted including the hospital he was admitted to pull out all these poisonous elements.
Another civil servant falls prey in the hands of corrupt politicians
and officials for he endeavored to expose the malpractices prevalent
in the system. Whosoever takes his stand against this corrupt system
and tries to set it right is met with the same misfortune. The future
of this country is in abyss.
"THE HINDU" its your responsibility that the guilty should be punished and you must use all the resources you have to continue this man's noble fight....he is a martyr who has given his life for us and his fight should not be abandoned....plz don't let this cause die....you owe this man
I request The Hindu to initiate a fund raising campaign through an appeal to its readers to generously contribute to the welfare of the family of late Mahantesh. The collections could be used to educate his children. That will be a fitting tribute to the brave honest officer who brought out the corrupt deals of the building societies of Karnataka.
Now the officer has gone the resposible culprits- mainly the illegal receipants of sites who were involved shall be put in jail. The family needs support after this incident. Well wishers shall extend the support so that future Land grabbers can be exposed also.
Government is still not serious on safety of whistle blowers. When will it wake up. This event will surely cause fear among many other honest people who tries to expose corruption.
In order that the right message goes to the people at large, the chief minister of Karnataka must ensure that the police investigating the case identifies the killers of Mahantesh before another"Mahantesh" is done to death for standing up against corruption. It is the duty of the state to protect those fearlessly doing their duties as a shocked Narayan Murthy has rightly observed. Our sincrerest condolences to the family members of Mahantesh. One hopes that the govt. will ensure that they are taken care of by the state.
It is disheartening to hear a victim of fight against corruption and no compensation from govt for his bold act. He will be easily forgotten by politicians and govt officials. Hope Hindu follows this and enough media and public pressure stays to bring the culprit out. Otherwise we are closing the door to fight against corruption.
It is outright naivete to expect the state government to investigate the attack ! Is there any precedence where the state governments investigated their own performance/corruption? Perhaps the next opposition party government may do so, as in the case of successive governments in neighboring state of Dravidian parties. By the time the new government completes the investigation, the old party will come back to power and reverse the story ! Indian voters get the government they deserve !
Hindu should take the initiative of promoting a welfare fund for the family.The officer paid the highest price in his zeal for honesty. We as a grateful nation cannot let such acts of courage and honesty go unrewarded.
Gandhi was telling "Honesty is Besst Policy" it is ever right, but now adays it is become reverse, only people should comeout and express their opinion and bring the culprits to public and put them in Andaman Nicobar jail.
Pity on India. Honest officer has been killed brutally - Who will
answer question to his old parents and family. Citizen must learn whom
to vote or whom not.
It's a shame on our system that such honest people end up suffering for being upright and upholding the values. Government should take it up seriously and ensure that culprits are booked and punished. Hats off to Mahantesh for being bold enough to fight these evils
All honest people will come to help Mr.Mahantesh for his courageous and dedicated work to expose the illegality and corruption. We hope,Hindu will expose the facts to public .People need to destroy the virus and inoculate those who have been infected with criminal activities & politics.
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