First ever successful use of RTI led to arrest of a corrupt IAS officer in Odisha

First ever successful use of RTI led to arrest of a corrupt IAS officer in Odisha

RTI Act mandates not only to enforce transparency and accountability in the administration but also to contain corruption in the administrative system of the country (Preamble of the Right to Information Act). Since 2005, the Act has been used as powerful tool by RTI Activists across the country to fight out corruption and irregularities in the functioning of administration. Successful use of RTI to check corruption and to put the corrupt officer behind the bar that too an IAS officer proved once again the mighty of the RTI Act. On 7.11.14, Debaraj Mishra, IAS former Collector, Bolangir working as addl. Secretary in Home Department, Govt. of Odisha was arrested on charges of corruption and irregularities in the examination conducted in 2012 for the post of Amin, Revenue Inspector ad A.R.I.in Bolagir which was exposed through RTI by few applicants who could not get the job due to this malpractice. It was alleged that Sri Mishra was the mastermind behind the whole corruption and Rs. 5 to 6 crores has been amassed by him and his coterie.

Sequence of the events led to arrest of Debaraj Mishra

A.In 2009, an advertisement was made by the district administration for appointment to the 54 post of Revenue Inspector/Assistant Revenue Inspector and Amin. Around 1400 applicants had applied for these posts. Accordingly written examination was held in June 2011 and candidates selected and got appointed in 2012. But it was alleged that answer-sheet was manipulated and ineligible candidates were selected by taking bribe of Rs. 4 to 6 lakhs for each candidate.

B.The manipulation of answer sheet and corruption in selection procedure   was exposed through RTI by the Information-seekers in 2013.  

C. In 2013, there was allegation of huge scam worth 6 crores of rupees in recruitment in the post of Revenue Inspector/ Assistant Revenue Inspector in Bolangir  by various quarters like Bolangir Citizens’ Committee, Bolangir press, Common people of Bolangir , applicants  for these posts  etc.  They had submitted series of petitions to Sri Surya Narayan Patra, Minister, Revenue and Disaster Management, Dr. Taradatt, Additional Chief Secretary to Govt. seeking an enquiry into the matter and demanded action in this regard.

D. The issue took momentum when  Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan had organised a press meet on 14.3.14 in Bhubaneswar bringing to the limelight about all the information relating to  this scam  obtained through RTI. Mass Media mainly electronics media took up the issue and highlighted the details of corruption exposed through RTI.

E. To pursue this issue,   RTI Application was submitted by Pradip Pradhan on 24.3.14 to the PIO, Dept. of revenue and Disaster Management, Govt. of Odisha and to the PIO, office of RDC, Sambalpur on 16.3.14 seeking information about copy of petitions filed and action taken, if any in respect of allegations made by the people of Bolangir.  On 25.4.14, the PIO has supplied the information that though several directions   have been given to Revenue Divisional Commissioner, Sambalpur since August, 2013,  he has not   made an  enquiry into it rather continues  to ignore it.  The details of information supplied by the PIO, Dept. of R&DM are as follows.

·      On 2.8.13, during visit to Bolangir, Sri Surya Narayan Patra, Minister for Revenue and Disaster management received the complaint of huge corruption from press and Bolangir Citizens Committee in the   appointment of R.I./A.R.I. by the district administration with involvement of one clerck Sri Niranjan Tripathy. After returning from Bolangir, Sri Patra directed to Dr. Taradatt to enquire into the matter by RDC, Sambalpur and submit the report within 30 days.

·      On 6.8.13 ( letter No. 29990/R&DM) , Dr. Taradatt, Additional Chief Secretary issued direction to RDC, Sambalpur  to enquire into the matter  and furnish the report along with suggestions for further action.

·      On 21.9.13, Dr. Taradatt ordered to RDC, Sambalpur for an enquiry into this corruption and take appropriate action. 

·      On 7.10.13,   Dr. Taradatt  ( letter no. 38553) gave order  to RDC, Sambalpur  for  enquiry  into it  followinga petition submitted by Sri Sudhir Kumar Sandh and others on 30.9.13.

·      On 20.4.14, Dr. Taradatt ordered    to RDC, Sambalpur for fifth time to enquiry into allegation of corruption in the recruitment of R.I. in Bolangir. It is presumed that this direction came after press meet organised in Bhubaneswar by OSAA to expose the corruption with fact and figures obtained through RTI.

F. However, after media expose, RDC, Sambalpur submitted his inquiry report to the State Govt. in the month of April or May, 2014. But nothing happened on his report.

G. RTI Application was again submitted to the PIO, office of Revenue and Disaster management on 26.7.14 seeking action taken report on the RDC inquiry report and copy of the report. The PIO refused to provide the information as the investigation was going on.

H. A TV Channel continues broadcasting the news and follow-up news by taking copy of the RTI reply and highlighted how the Govt. conspires to cover up the corruption ad protect Debaraj Mishra.

I.After news expose, the Govt. handed over this case to State Vigilance ad Crime branch to enquire into the matter.

J. Finally after long fight and persuasion, Sri Debaraj Mishra and other officials were arrested by State Vigilance on 7.11.14. The investigation is still going on.

But the moot question is how the deprived applicants will get justice. Whether the exam will be cancelled   and re-exam held or the exam paper  scrutinised again and the eligible candidate will get the post. Another bigger fight is ahead before RTI activist in future.

Pradip Pradhan

RTI Activist

M-9937843482

Date- 9.11.14