Rajasthan govt honour public sentiment, controversial ACB order rolled back

Rajasthan— After facing severe criticism from the opposition, civil society and from its own legislators and ministers, Rajasthan government took a backfoot on the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) directive not to reveal the identity of the accused and suspects in graft cases, until proved guilty by court.

The controversial order that was issued on January 4, by ACB Additional Director-General Hemant Priyadarshi immediately after he was given the additional charge of the bureau chief, was rolled back on Friday.

The January 4 order had led to much embarrassment for the Congress government in the State. Priyadarshi had stated in his order issued to all outposts that only the rank or designation, and the department of the accused should be made public and shared with the media.

The order, issued to all chowki (outpost) and unit in-charges of ACB across the State, also stated that the names and photographs of the accused and suspects should not be revealed until they were convicted by the court.

The Opposition BJP had targeted the ruling Congress over the order and questioned the government’s intention. Commenting on the rollback, the BJP chief Satish Poonia tweeted, "After the resignation gimmicks of its MLAs, scared of the baton of public consensus, once again the government takes a 'U' turn".

Rajendra Rathore, the deputy leader of opposition said, "Better late than never! Gehlot has Navratnas as his advisor panel, but it seems they do not give him correct advice. My personal advice to him is to stay away from such advisors to save yourself from public embarrassment".

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and other civil rights groups had too, condemned the ACB’s move. Experts said such an order would have led to disastrous effect, increasing high level of corruption among public servants who would be free of all social stigma attached after being caught and exposed by the media.

Amid all discussions and debates, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot who had backed the ACB order on the first day, claiming that it was in accordance with a Supreme Court guideline in perseverance of the human rights of the accused, is allegedly upset by the entire turn of events.

With the increased opposition from all spheres, Gehlot had assured the media during his visit in Udaipur, a day earlier that the order would be examined and if needed, it would be withdrawn. “The intention of the government is clear. We have zero tolerance for corruption. The order seems to be issued on a technical ground, " Gehlot had said then.

The chief minister who also holds the home portfolio and heads the Police department, was apprised of the adverse ramifications considering the state elections due by the end of the year. Corruption being a sensitive issue affecting all walks of life and people at large, the government doesn't want to take any risk by courting unwanted controversies, an officer of IAS cadre said, wishing anonymity.

Meanwhile, members of Udaipur Bar Association including senior lawyers Gopal Sanadhya, Ashok Paliwal, Basant Bhatt, Arjun Upadhyaya, Syef Irfan Khan Kanhaiylal Menaria expressed gratitude to the government on withdrawing the order, which they said was against public sentiments as well as defeated the government's Zero Tolerance policy on corruption.