Bribe Babu Shunted
A day after AM exposé, Edu Dept transfers education inspector H R Polra to Jamkhambalia, seals his office and begins probe into bribe charges against him
By Yogesh Avasthi and Shraddha Singh
Posted On Tuesday, July 14, 2009 (Ahmedabad Mirror : http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2009071420090714032944906bea3a4c6)
Education Inspector H R Polra took a hard blow on Monday, and he might have seen
it coming. A day after AM showed him accepting bribe over two kids’ admission, he finds himself transferred to Jamkhambalia in Saurashtra.
By Yogesh Avasthi and Shraddha Singh
Posted On Tuesday, July 14, 2009 (Ahmedabad Mirror : http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2009071420090714032944906bea3a4c6)
Education Inspector H R Polra took a hard blow on Monday, and he might have seen
it coming. A day after AM showed him accepting bribe over two kids’ admission, he finds himself transferred to Jamkhambalia in Saurashtra. Armed with damning evidence, the Education Department locked up Polra’s chamber in the District Education Office in Ellisbridge, while the man himself has reported sick and went on an eight-day leave. In another quick move, the education secretary handed over the incriminating CD containing the bribe-taking visuals to Anti Corruption Bureau inspector general Teerthraj, who confirmed to AM he had received it and had started investigations.
Sources in DEO said Polra’s office was sealed to avoid tampering of evidence in the case. Officials expect to collect some more documents and evidence of malpractice from the premises. His transfer order als
o mentioned of a change in his job profile. He has been asked to do duty in a government school in Jamkhambadia.
o mentioned of a change in his job profile. He has been asked to do duty in a government school in Jamkhambadia.We are tired of corrupt officers in our education set-up. It’s good that one of them has been caught, but there are scores of others who must be weeded out– Rajesh Tekchandani
Polra was filmed accepting money by the very people who offered it. It all started after parents seeking admissions for their two girls in a school in Kubernagar sought assistance of their family friend Rajesh Tekchandani, who requested Polra for help. The inspector’s bribe demand piqued the parents and Tekchandani and induced them to nail him.
Working with a plan, they began negotiations with the inspector, recording every communication on the mobile phone. One month of ‘talks’ with Polra gave Tekchandani enough time to acquire a spycam and figure out how he would execute the plan, and the parents to arrange for Rs 45,000 of real money. On June 13, Tekchandani made his move, accompanied by his friend Dushyant Shahani who recorded Polra accepting Rs 20,000 as bribe at his office in Ellisbridge. They proceeded and gave him another Rs 25,000 of the promised Rs 45,000. But by the end of the deal, they had hard evidence against the Education Inspector.
Working with a plan, they began negotiations with the inspector, recording every communication on the mobile phone. One month of ‘talks’ with Polra gave Tekchandani enough time to acquire a spycam and figure out how he would execute the plan, and the parents to arrange for Rs 45,000 of real money. On June 13, Tekchandani made his move, accompanied by his friend Dushyant Shahani who recorded Polra accepting Rs 20,000 as bribe at his office in Ellisbridge. They proceeded and gave him another Rs 25,000 of the promised Rs 45,000. But by the end of the deal, they had hard evidence against the Education Inspector.
Rajesh Tekchandani is now ACB’s witness in the case. Asked if the action against Polra was adequate, he said, “We are tired of corrupt officers in our education set-up. It’s good that one of them has been caught, but there are scores of others who need to be weeded out.” The kids’ parents, however, declined to comment on the issue.
On Sunday, AM had checked out with Education Secretary Hasmukh Adhia if the recording, now on CD, was sufficient to bring Polra to book. He said it was, and the incident needed to be probed. The department’s action was prompt. Transfer orders were out immediately, and the inspector’s office sealed overnight. With the ACB investigation on, it could be curtains for Polra’s underhand dealings, for now.
On Sunday, AM had checked out with Education Secretary Hasmukh Adhia if the recording, now on CD, was sufficient to bring Polra to book. He said it was, and the incident needed to be probed. The department’s action was prompt. Transfer orders were out immediately, and the inspector’s office sealed overnight. With the ACB investigation on, it could be curtains for Polra’s underhand dealings, for now.
