When the family fosters corruption
Reeta Sharma

WHEN I first met Ravi Sidhu in 1982, he left a distinct impression on me.

He came across as a well-groomed man. Well-mannered, suave and fluent in English, he appeared rather humble. He behaved like a thorough gentleman, offering me his seat at a press conference, a gesture that a majority of my colleagues would never indulge in. Over the years, we formed a cordial professional equation that continued till he left journalism.

I have personally always been opposed to the idea of journalists accepting posts offered by the establishment before the retirement age of 60 years. All such placements generally offer political patronage besides ensuring material gains. In addition, these positions are rated high by the society as they bring with them a lot of perks. It is an open secret that such posts have scope for a lot of manipulation and manoeuverability. In fact, journalists get hand picked by politicians solely because their profession affords them proximity with the powers that be.

One had heard a lot of interesting stories about Ravi Sidhu even when he entered journalism. As per the grapevine, he had wooed one of the most beautiful women on the Panjab University campus in typical filmi style. Lovleen was a student of Department of English and was certainly a stunning beauty. Theirs was a much-talked-about romance. It was said that one day Lovleen told Ravi that she was tired of his motorbike, so the next time Ravi came to see her only after he had purchased a Fiat car. Eventually the two tied the knot but their marriage did not last. Even though they were blessed with a daughter, they decided to part.

When there was talk about Ravi Sidhu making money as Chairperson of the PPSC, it took me quite some time to believe it. Sometimes journalists are unable to write about something that they know because they do not have evidence to back what they say. This was true in the case of Ravi Sidhu as well. However, as per the situation today, this former colleague of ours stands fully exposed.

The Vigilance Bureau that has been doggedly following the leads available to it is hopeful of recovering assets worth Rs 100 crore. Till date, assets and cash amounting to Rs 25 crore have been recovered. Sleuths are still working on Ravi Sidhu’s conduits, of who at least four are absconding. Interestingly, one of his conduits, Parminder Singh Pammi, is a Senator in Panjab University, Chandigarh.

All the ill-gotten money acquired by Ravi Sidhu is for hundreds of posts that he filled in the past three years or so. Yet, it is interesting to note that the PPSC Probe Panel has suggested selective cancellation of written tests and subsequent interviews held mainly for junior positions like those of BDPOs, Lecturers, DSPs and DS (Jails). This sounds quite like the Vigilance Bureau style of working! The VB has always used its net on smaller necks like constables, patwaris, inspectors, etc. and has always spared the big fish despite evidence.

The PPSC Probe Panel has chosen not to include all the PCS posts (executive and judicial) as, allegedly, many children of VVIPs have been selected for these positions by Ravi Sidhu in return for favours. Hence, such an action plan does raise questions.

I wonder what will be the fate of the state administration that has on its rolls hundreds of people who, obviously, do not deserve to be there. Besides, these recruits, who have entered the services by paying huge bribes, will vitiate the system further. Reportedly, two children of an SSP who topped the recruitment list of the PCS have not held any brilliant academic record since their matriculation.

Ironically, the people that Ravi Sidhu had rejected (because they were depending solely upon their intelligence) eventually made it to the top administrative services of the country, the IAS. Here are names of a few of the applicants whom Ravi Sidhu had rejected for the post in the PCS.

Bhawna Garg and Gurkirat Singh topped the IAS list of 1999 and 2000, respectively. Ekroop Kaur secured 24th position in the civil services examination in 2000. T.P. Singh was among the first 100 selected for the IAS in 2000.

There are a few more questions that repeatedly come to my mind and have remained unanswered till date. Why do people chase money even when they are well placed? Why do their near and dear ones (say mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives and children) aid them in their relentless pursuit of material gains? If they really love such a person then why don’t they pay a thought to the consequences of such corrupt practices?

Apparently, Ravi Sidhu owned something like 80 acres, which he had inherited from his father. Yet, he wanted more and his conscience did not prick him when he began indulging in fraudulent ways to get richer. It seems that the fact that he could get caught never bothered him. Now for the next couple of years, Ravi Sidhu is likely to remain embroiled in court cases and face grilling sessions with the police and lawyers. I wonder why his brother, Reetinderpal Singh Sidhu, his mother, Pritpal Kaur, and his bhabhi, who apparently helped him stash away the ill-gotten money, never worried about his welfare and the result of his actions?

I remember seeing a clipping of the late Harshad Mehta’s (who had played havoc with the share market by indulging in corrupt and cunning practices) wife attending a court hearing. She was shown desperately running her fingers over a string of beads, seeking His blessings and support to save her husband. Her husband was an ordinary man but she never questioned him when the ill-gotten money began pouring in. She enjoyed the thrill of every acquisition, whether it was a series of flats, fleet of cars, jewellery worth crores or a swimming pool on the roof of their palatial house in Mumbai. Harshad Mehta’s parents and siblings had also enjoyed the ill-gotten money.

This confirms the fact that corruption is really a ‘homegrown’ commodity and is first fostered within the family. Like charity, it begins from home and can be curbed within its precincts.

In such an unusual situation, the ideal decision will be to re-test the ‘suspect candidates.’ One hopes the courts give a suo motto direction to the state government and leave no ambiguity about the desirability or legality of such an action.

These are the times wherein not only adults but also young students suffer from a feeling of defeatism at the way our system functions. One can hear murmurs amongst students, "Nothing will happen to Ravi Sidhu. We know he will manage to wriggle out of the charges against him. Nothing came out of the cases against Jaylalitha and Sukh Ram. In India, everything can be managed." We need to ensure that the coming generations do not lose faith in the system. Even if Ravi gets punished that will only be half the battle won.