Maya’s team to curb corruption

By Amita Verma

Lucknow

June 27: Upset over reports of growing crime and corruption in the police force, UP chief minister Mayawati has now set up a secret task force to tackle such complaints.

The five-member secret task force, headed by IG (PAC) V.K. Gupta will respond to complaints against corrupt police officials, harassment of innocent persons, connivance with criminals and atrocities on dalits and make surprise inspections after which a report will be submitted to her for necessary action. Ms Mayawati has authorised the secret task force to use the state planes for surprise inspections.

Interestingly, one of the members of the secret task force is Satish Ganesh, former SSP Noida, who hit the headlines for allegedly botching up the Aarushi murder case. A blue-eyed boy of the chief minister, Mr Ganesh was removed from his post after the CBI took over investigations in the Aarushi case.

The other members of the task force are DIG Renuka Misra and one officer each in the rank of ASP and DSP, both yet to be named.

Talking to this correspondent on condition of anonymity, one of the members of the task force said, "The idea is to bring a qualitative and permanent change in the law and order situation. We will be receiving and responding to complaints, even against police officials, without any fear or bias. Corrupt officers, irrespective of the rank they hold, will be on our checklist and we will submit our report directly to the chief minister."

The chief minister had been upset with reports of deteriorating law and order situation. She had even warned police officials of serious consequences if they failed to deliver. The chief minister had candidly spoken of how the police stations were being "sold for a price" in the state which was an indication of corruption in the force.