D K Ravi is not the only one, India fails its braveheart IAS officers once too often

Source: IANS
Priya Bala Priya Bala folomojo staff

Today (December 9th) being International anti-corruption day, we take a look at some of the names that personified or continue to personify justice and fairness in a corruption torn world.

In the beginning of the year, the death of IAS officer D K Ravi under mysterious circumstances shocked the nation and the cry for justice to be done is getting louder.

While speculation is rife and theories abound about Ravi’s death, emerging evidence indicates he was under tremendous pressure from the sand mafia that he took on during his stint in Kolar.

It is tragic that such an end has befallen an officer who was, without doubt,  a hero to the common people. Across the nation, there are others who have fought and continue to fight against corruption, facing terrible odds in the process.

We salute these heroes (and heroines) and pray for more of their kind:

Ashok Khemka

He’s the man who came into the limelight after he exposed what he considered ‘suspicious’ deals between Robert Vadra and real estate firm DLF.

He alleged that the transactions had the sanction of the Haryana government. For his diligence, he has faced death threats and several police complaints against him.

It is also telling that in a 20-year-long career Khemka has been shunted between 45 postings.

He is currently Director General of the Department of Archives & Archaelogy, Haryana. Ashok Khemka has said he is inspired by the Tagore song, ‘Jodi tor daak shune keu naa aashe, tobey ekla cholo re (If no one responds to your call, then go your own way alone.’

U Sagayam

Ubagarampillai Sagayam has been in the IAS for 20 years and been transferred as many times. He has taken on everyone from a district collector he accused of favouring big tea estate operators to a Pepsi plant with dubious quality control to the then mighty J Jayalalithaa herself.

He is also a local hero in Madurai for ensuring fair elections for the first time in 2011, braving the wrath of the DMK and M.K Alagiri in particular. When he confronted the powerful granite quarrying lobby, he was rewarded with a transfer and a shove downstairs to head Co-optex, the handloom weavers’ co-operative.

His crusade against the granite lobby was not over. A report he had prepared during his tenure as Madurai collector was leaked and prompted a citizen’s petition to rekindle the inquiry.

The Madras High Court directed that a commission be set up and Sagayam is now its Special Officer-Legal Commissioner. His mission in Madurai continues… ‘Lanjam thavirthu, nenjam nivirthu (without bribes and with head held high)’ as the sign on his door reads.

Durga Shakti Nagpal

At just 30, this IAS officer of the UP cadre has fought corruption. And won. In 2013, Durga Shakti Nagpal made a concerted bid to curb illegal sand mining along the Yamuna and Hindon which was damaging the environment and altering the natural course of these rivers.

She used smart strategies and surprise tactics to impound vehicles used for ferrying the sand and also ordered the arrest of several miners. The alleged demolition of a mosque was just the excuse the power lobby needed to get her out of the way.

She was handed her suspension orders. Later, bowing to public pressure, especially on social media, the suspension was revoked.  She is now Joint Magistrate of Kanpur (Rural).

Raju Narayana Swamy

Raju Narayan Swamy’s talents go beyond the bureaucracy. He has a brilliant academic record and is an acclaimed writer. In the regions of Kerala where he has served, he is known as the ‘clean-up officer’.

His crusade against corruption started on his very first job, and he went about taking on then Public Works Minister T.U. Kuruvilla, eventually leading to his resignation, and former minister P.J Joseph.

For his troubles, the officer has been transferred 20 times in as many years and even been forced to report to officers junior to him.

Rashmi V Mahesh

She’s as tough as they come, but it hasn’t been easy going for this IAS officer. Rashmi Mahesh is widely credited with cleaning up the CET process, curbing seat blocking and irregularities in seat distribution when she was Executive Director of the Karnataka Education Authority.

Post by Lets Support Rashmi Mahesh.

Her actions irked the private college lobbies and she was later asked by the government to proceed on leave. She was then posted as Director of the Administrative Training Institute in Mysore. Here, too, she uncovered several irregularities during the tenure of her predecessor and had even to face mob fury for her actions.

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