Prashant Bhushan, Damania, Mayank Gandhi will leave party if they are found guilty
Faced with allegations against some of its key members of involvement in questionable land purchases, India Against Corruption (IAC) on Friday constituted an independent ombudsman (Internal Lokpal) comprising three retired judges of High Courts — one of them a Chief Justice — to look into the matter.
Announcing the move here, IAC member and activist Arvind Kejriwal said the ombudsman would examine the charges of irregularities in land purchased by lawyer Prashant Bhushan, RTI activist Anjali Damania and activist Mayank Gandhi, and their defence. The ombudsman would be requested to come up with its findings within three months, he said.
“If anyone is found guilty of committing any illegality or immorality then the person will have to quit the [yet to be named] party,” he said, adding that “this was what we had promised when we announced the formation of a political party.”
At the same time, Mr. Kejriwal asked the government to probe anyone and award double the prescribed punishment if found guilty. “Unfortunately, the government is more interested in mud-slinging than setting up an independent probe,” he said.
The three retired judges who will look into the matter are the former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, A.P. Shah, B.H. Marlapalle of the Bombay High Court and Jaspal Singh of the Delhi High Court.
‘Ready for probe’
Mr. Bhushan, Dr. Damania and Mr. Gandhi welcomed the move, saying they were ready to face any probe and they had nothing to hide. A probe would clear all charges against them.
Allegations against Mr. Bhushan are that there are irregularities in his purchase of land in Himachal Pradesh. He has countered the charge, saying that the land was bought with official permission to set up a charitable educational institution.
“The government has been making all kinds of allegations, fabricating things to defame us. We have said that we are willing to face any probe by the government or any independent body. The government has not done anything in this direction, so we will form our own ombudsman,” he told The Hindu.
Mr. Gandhi has been accused of allegedly helping a real estate company owned by his uncle to land a contract for re-developing a South Mumbai market. The deal has since been scrapped due to irregularities by the Maharashtra government.
Ms. Damania, accused of acquiring agricultural land at cheap rates from farmers in Maharashtra’s Karjat taluk and selling it for a huge profit for commercial use, said that the purpose behind the decision to form an ombudsman was to make all activities of every IAC member transparent.
“I have all the papers that clearly state that I have taken due permission from every concerned body, from the Gram Panchayat to the Raigad Collector, in every process pertaining to the conversion of my farm land to non-farm land,” she told The Hindu.
Keywords: Arvind Kejriwal, Y.P. Singh charges, Sharad Pawar, India Against Corruption, IAC ombudsman
Politicians through over 60 years of parliamentary system have created a strong system of corruption, nepotism and favouratism to meet their selfish ends. Over the years they have systematically made every person a part of these malices against their wish and self coinciousness. We day and day out have to shelve some money to get our things done. This does not mean we love or like corruption, nepostism etc. Out of compulsions,some IAC people in their lifetime might have followed some inappropriate lines out of compulsion. This does not mean that the crime of politicians - the main perpetrators of corruption, nepotism,favouratism become less. Normally people to make their offences look smaller make others to commit small offences knowingly and unknowingly which our politicians have been done for long. They have no right to question people when they themselves have spoiled the systems.
i fail to understand why a news paper like The Hindu gives so much
coverage to IAC and particularly Mr. Kejriwal. There are many
grassroots movements which are doing much more constructive work. why
don't you also give them some space to articulate their voices in the
national domain. Mr. Kejriwal has a very clear agenda to overthrow the
present ruling party with an aim carve a space in the increasingly
competitive political space. in contrast, there are many selfless
human beings who are struggling to establish justice and articulate
voices of the voiceless. Mr. Kejriwal is powerful enough to be heard.
your reporters who are waiting at the door step of IAC need to go
beyond delhi.
Some of the so-called NGOs are nothing but rackets to make fast money. From time-to-time, the media have reported about the illegal practices of some of the self-styled NGOs. Many of the NGOs are not filing income tax returns, even though they are legally bound to do that as they are receiving government financial support. Only those NGOs which are transparent in their dealings and whose key members are clean should be allowed to operate. Even in the case IAC, an independent probe should be conducted.
IAC has offered that the allegations against their members be probed by the Government. At the same time, it has on it's own asked three retired judges to probe the allegations. It is trying to set an example. As the main agenda of IAC is fighting corruption, it is absolutely necessary that the members have clean image. In this context it would be better if the members against whom there are allegations of corruption, go out of IAC and come back after they are cleared of the allegations. The same logic should apply to all the politicians and babus who are alleged to be involved in corruption.
I completely agree with Mr. D Mahapatra... Media is trying its every bit
to tarnish the image of IAC... I don't understand the stupid questions
that were being asked to IAC members in debate yesterday on most of the
news channel... Many news channel now seem to unfurl the Congress flag
rather than tricolor
It is a good innovative tradition, every party should adopt this policy
and try to eradicate corruption in high level people.
"At the same time, Mr. Kejriwal asked the government to probe anyone
and award double the prescribed punishment if found guilty.
“Unfortunately, the government is more interested in mud-slinging than
setting up an independent probe,” he said." (see above)
Even though IAC have submitted their Members to a VOLUNTARY probe by
eminent judges IN ADDITION to requesting any investigation by any Govt
agency, it was sickening to see how some of the media and a TV anchor
were casting aspersions on them, while trying to confuse the audience
that he was only doing his job as a robust journalist asking ‘tough
questions’!
It is understandable that corrupt political parties under public
scrutiny would try to derail any movement which wants to look into
their affairs, but why are some media people behaving as if they have
lost all sense of national good and human morality? Are parts of
Indian media also pro-corruption? Thank God for papers like The Hindu.
Who decided on this panel of ombudsmen? Surely, according to the principles of the IAC, they should not be the ones constituting that panel? Further, how will IAC convince the masses that this panel is without any reasonable doubt: independent, not corrupt and has no "connections" with people being investigated, say, Mr Bhushan?
It is an interesting exercise but not really logical. The IAC does not believe anyone other than themselves. Why should anyone believe IAC? It is easy for one to point a finger at others but it is very difficult to really prove that no fingers can be pointed against that one.
Isn't it time India AGAINST Corruption starts telling the masses what they are FOR? After all, there are lots of other issues troubling India, right?
I was so shocked to see the behavior of Salman Khurshid, minister of
Manmohan Singh government. Kurshid is a security threat to the civil
society
This move, however crookedly (might be) interpreted by those who are
always in - and accept - the much familiar denial mode, is indeed path
breaking. We can say that the youngest political star that India has
been waiting for, for the last few decades, has now arrived in the
national stage with a bang, by scripting the first chapter on the much
talked about, but never demonstrated, 'probity in public life'.
Congratulations Mr.Arvind Kejriwal , to you and to all those who stand
by you in this initiative. Keep up the fire in the belly and travel in
the same direction without being distracted by the pressures that your
detractors may exert on you in a myriad ways. Ultimate victory is
always to those who follow the path of Dharma with faith, conviction
and commitment in every act of theirs, for the sake of the nation !
God bless you!!
I have great regard for The Hindu, but whats this, why this proven buffoons are
getting so much attention. Its just ridiculous to read their funny stories every day.
Ha ha, It is an utter drama , off the stage, headed by Kejriwal and his
company. Clearly, it is one of the tactics to gain some political
mileage. Wearing Gandhi Dhoppi, constituting independent ombudsman are
simply misleading the nation. I think they can run an independent
government and help the people what is termed anti-corruption India as
per their term, instead of forming internal ombudsman. I don't know from
where the-so-called-anti-corruption-outfit are getting money to do such
things. Weird!
It is good to order an internal probe. But I feel that IAC must be more
circumspect in choosing its frontline volunteers. Is it correct to
induct people like Anjali Damania with acquisitive style of life. This
is the land of naked faqir and we do not want movements to be led by
realtors and their kin
It needs guts to do so. I hpe that UPA II will learn soon a similar procedure to be probed by an independent commission in the deal about Vadra Inc.
It is a refreshing change to have an investigation ordered immediately following charges of
possible irregularities. This is in marked contrast to the arrogant attitude of the government
at the centre and in various states that plunder public wealth with impunity.
IAC may not have the money power required to get majority. However, if they keep the
initiatives, they are going to be putting our corrupt politicians in a very difficult
position.
In addition to unearthing the scams, I would like the IAC to take the fight to the villages
and common man, particularly, those people who don't know and hence don't care
about the corruption (consider it a fate...) and are inclined to sell their votes...
It's a very good move by Mr. Kejriwal. It will increase his yet to be named party's credibility
Arvind, you want to remain in focus.what about emplyoment to our youth?
India Against Corruption seems to have turned into a battle ground for those who have lost their battle for grabbing land. All such elements were busy in taking benefit of liberal era of Manmohan Singh-Montek duo. Damania was also in the race for grabbing land in her quest to become rich. Is it not true that such elements are financing the IAC to avenge their defeat against more powerful rivals. How poor farmers who have lost their land are to benefit from this game, gentlemen? Only those who are sincere in combating liberalisation-globalisation policies at present should find place in such movements in the name of people. Opposing such policies while indulging in taking advantage of the same policies is dishonesty of the same genre as corruption.
What a path breaking departure from the much familiar denial mode.
Kejriwal has, by this move, provided a glimmer of hope to the millions
of oppressed and depressed aam aadmis,that there is light at the end of
the tunnel.
The only party since independence which "Practices what it preaches".
Thumps up for Kejriwal.Damaina and Bhushan should be congratulated that
they welcomed probe. Khurshid should answer- Why he is not ready to be
probed by independent authority?
All the best....Let's see if you are clean and not like those corrupt
ones!,hope will be clean.
Right move by the IAC. This method should be institutionalized. Regular
probe and action against the erring members may cultivate public
confidence in the political sphere. Currently none trusts politicians
although they are inevitable force in the development.
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