Zero Tolerance on Corruption? Prosecution Approval Pending Against 19 Top Rajasthan Officers

The party in power often claims Zero Tolerance on corruption. Before coming into power ‘Zero tolerance on Corruption is one of the agendas for the political parties’. Congress or BJP; both talk about zero tolerance on corruption before coming to power, but the prosecution approval figures tell a different reality. Along with ACB, Rajasthan Police is also looking towards the government that if prosecution approval is given against such officers, then the action can be taken forward. The situation is that from 2018 to 2024, the government has not given prosecution approval against 20 of the big officers who have been trapped or against whom other cases are registered.

The issue is further complicated by the fact that 7 of these officers have already retired. This figure pertains to IAS, RAS, and RPS officers, and the total would be even larger if other cadres were included. Numerous officers were caught accepting bribes or are under investigation for disproportionate assets, yet the government continues to show leniency. Over the past five years, from April 2019 to May 2024, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has taken action against 182 officers and employees. Despite this, the Personnel Department and the government have not granted permission to file charges against many of these corrupt officials.

Question…Who is saving the officers?

 The Anti-Corruption Bureau operates under the Rajasthan government. It investigates complaints, apprehends those involved in bribery, and registers cases. Following this, the Personnel Department, which is also part of the Rajasthan government, must approve the prosecution. Historically, the Personnel Department has been aligned with the Chief Minister. Currently, Bhajanlal Sharma oversees the Personnel Department, while Ashok Gehlot held the position during the Congress rule. Despite these circumstances, prosecution approvals were not granted under Gehlot’s tenure, and similar inaction continues now, with no legal action being taken against influential bribers.

Political pressure is a reason

Political pressure is also significant factor behind the lack of prosecution approvals. It is believed that once officers are implicated, they exert considerable efforts to prevent the government from granting approval for their prosecution. Additionally, when there is a change in government, new lobbying efforts are initiated within the new administration. This ongoing influence and manipulation contribute to the prolonged list of cases awaiting legal action. 

These influential people are escaping due to non-receipt of prosecution sanction…

1. Nirmala Meena (IAS) – Prosecution sanction pending since 10 July 2018
2. Nannumal Pahadiya (Retired IAS) Prosecution sanction pending since 28 June 2022
3. Vishram Meena (IAS) – Prosecution sanction pending since 19 July 2023
4. Pushkar Mittal (RAS) – Prosecution sanction pending since 17 March 2021
5. Pinky Meena (RAS) – Prosecution sanction pending since 17 March 2021
6. Dataram (RAS) – Prosecution sanction pending since 12 February 2021
7. Laxmikant Balot (RAS) – Prosecution sanction pending since 12 February 2021
8. Nishu Agnihotri (RAS) – Prosecution sanction pending since 6 October 2022
9. Bhaironlal Verma (Retd. RAS) – Prosecution Sanction pending since 9 March 2023
10. Mohanlal Gupta (Retd. RAS) – Prosecution Sanction pending since 2 August 2023
11. Mahesh Gagoria (RAS) – Prosecution Sanction pending since 3 June 2024
12. Ramjilal Verma (Retd. RAS) – Prosecution Sanction pending since 10 July 2024
13. Ash Mohammad (Retd. RPS) – Prosecution Sanction pending since 22 October 2019
14. Satyapal Middha (Retd. RPS) – Prosecution Sanction pending since 16 November 2021
15. Virendra Kumar (Retd. RPS) – Prosecution Sanction pending since 24 January 2022
16. Sugan Chand Panwar (RPS) – Prosecution Sanction pending since 8 March 2022
17. Divya Mittal (RPS) – Prosecution approval pending since 27 March 2023
18. Jitendra Kumar Jain (RPS) – Prosecution approval pending since 10 May 2023
19. Divya Mittal (RPS) – Prosecution approval pending since 12 June 2023

Dr. Ravi Prakash Meharda, DG, ACB says that, ‘We keep sending reminders to the Personnel Department from time to time regarding the matter of prosecution approval. Whenever there is a meeting with the Personnel Department on this matter, these matters are kept on priority.’

CC Ratnu, Senior Advocate, Rajasthan High Court said that, ‘One department of the government believes that corruption has taken place and also confirms it in the investigation. On the other hand, another department of the government is negligent or delays in giving prosecution approval and many times approval is not given at all. Along with this, those who have been found involved in corruption are also obliged by giving field posting. Which highlights the contradictory behavior of the government.’