Why is Chavda a free man?
Yogesh Avasthi
» Since then, every witness, arrested accused and inquiry panel has named former GSHSEB secretary H N Chavda as the mastermind of the scandal. Even courts have denied him bail
Even courts have denied anticipatory bail to Chavda. In fact, on November 25, a metropolitan court termed him a ‘wanted man’ under Section 82 of the CrPC and directed authorities to seize all his assets if he failed to appear before court at the end of this month.
The state’s top court has also taken a serious note of lack of action against the former secretary of the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB).
Two days before the metropolitan court’s order, Gujarat High Court asked the government to explain why a departmental inquiry had not been ordered against Chavda. It also asked the government to make it clear, by December 20, if he would be suspended or not.
Despite this, there have been no attempts by the crime branch, which is handling the fake fractures case, or the state education department to put Chavda in the dock. Cops’ failure to locate and arrest Chavda, it seems, has only emboldened him.
Posted On Saturday, December 11, 2010 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article§name=News%20-%20Latest§id=2&contentid=2010121120101211033529626cd2d70)
» The fake fractures’ scam, which involved children of influential families, was exposed in 2008
» Since then, every witness, arrested accused and inquiry panel has named former GSHSEB secretary H N Chavda as the mastermind of the scandal. Even courts have denied him bail » Despite such a strong case against this administrator, he has never been punished or arrested
» Worse, the crime branch and his own department cannot locate Chavda, who only on Thursday attended his office in Anand to participate in the state govt’s Gunotsav programme
Former education board secretary H N Chavda, an accused in the fake fractures’ scam who has been denied anticipatory bail and declared an absconder, attended the government’s Gunotsav programme in Anand district for the second consecutive day on Friday. So, if he is making such public appearances at will, how can his whereabouts be still unknown to the police and the state education department ?
The freedom with which Chavda has begun roaming around presents a curious case of how a controversial education administrator, who ideally should have been suspended and arrested by now, has been left untouched and unharmed by government and police authorities.
The fake fractures, dummy writers’ scam, which involved children of influential families, was exposed during class XII board exams in March 2008. Since then, every witness, arrested accused and inquiry committee has named Chavda as one of the chief conspirators, who bent every rule to help students Harsh Kotak and Komal Patel cheat in their exams.
The state’s top court has also taken a serious note of lack of action against the former secretary of the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB).
Two days before the metropolitan court’s order, Gujarat High Court asked the government to explain why a departmental inquiry had not been ordered against Chavda. It also asked the government to make it clear, by December 20, if he would be suspended or not.
Despite this, there have been no attempts by the crime branch, which is handling the fake fractures case, or the state education department to put Chavda in the dock. Cops’ failure to locate and arrest Chavda, it seems, has only emboldened him.
On Thursday, he appeared at his office in Anand District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) after several months’ of leave to take part in the government’s Gunotsav programme. Chavda, who is the principal of the college, turned up there at 11 am. Even on Friday, he reportedly visited a school in Tarapur, Anand district, to attend another Gunotsav programme.
When Mirror contacted a top crime branch official, Mayur Chavda, he refused to comment on the agency’s strategy to catch hold of the former GSHSEB secretary. “He has not been arrested yet,” the senior officer said.
A top official of the state education department said that ideally the government should have placed Chavda under suspension. “Usually, when a GSHSEB official is accused of serious charges, he is suspended. It seems he enjoys senior government authorities’ tacit support,” he said.
It should be noted that the R J Makadia Committee and education board’s reforms panel had both recommended Chavda’s removal. They had also suggested action against influential school trustee Raja Pathak, who along with Harsh’s father, Pravin Kotak, has not been subjected to a thorough inquiry so far.
ISKON group chairman Kotak, in fact, has been granted anticipatory bail even though Komal’s father, Pravin Patel, has spent time in jail.
--------------------------------------------------‘The Govt is not protecting anyone’
State Education Minister Ramanlal Vora said on Friday rejected claims that the government was protecting former GSHSEB secretary H N Chavda. He said that action would be taken against whoever was found guilty. “This is an issue of the education department, and it is conducting its inquiry. Everything is being done according to rules. When it is the right time, action will be taken against him (Chavda),” Vora said.
When he was told that government officials facing serious charges were usually suspended, he said: “This is not the first time an official has been accused of something. There are rules of the general administration department that have to be followed (while probing allegations). If need arises, steps will be taken against Chavda. The government is not trying to protect anyone. Whoever is responsible will be punished.”
The minister refused to comment on Chavda’s participation in the government’s Gunotsav programme.
