We, the aam aadmi, have zero faith in our judicial system. We’re convinced of the “sab mile hue hain, sab nikal jayenge” theory. Like the underdog, we bide our time, wring our hands and wait in the shadows till the day that they fall. We guffaw at the imaginary ailments, the daughter’s nose job that warrants parole and the astounding legal loopholes that allow moneyed road-ragers get away.
We, the aam aadmi, however, do have a few victories under our belt. Here’s a short, self-congratulatory list.
1. Chhagan Bhujbal
The trademark muffler is gone and so is the flair and flashiness associated with one of Maharashtra’s richest and most powerful politicians. Jail does not suit Mr Chhagan Bhujbal. The former Deputy Chief Minister and NCP heavyweight was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate after a nine-hour-long interrogation in a money laundering case on 14 March 2016.
He’s accused of receiving kickbacks in awarding contracts for the construction of a new Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi. According to the ED, the alleged money laundering and pay-offs caused a loss of Rs 870 crore to the state exchequer. Two FIRs have been filed against Bhujbal and his family members under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The former minister’s judicial custody has been extended till 27 April 2016.
2. Madan Mitra
The TMC heavyweight and former Transport Minister of West Bengal is behind bars since December 2014 for his alleged involvement in the Saradha chit fund scam. Mamata’s close aide, Mitra is accused of receiving favours, in both cash and kind from Saradha owner Sudipto Sen. He is also under the CBI scanner for his alleged involvement in the Rose Valley chit fund scam.
Madan Mitra is contesting from the Kamarhati seat in the ongoing West Bengal Assembly elections.
3. Mahipal Maderna
Mahipal Maderna was arrested by the CBI in the Bhanwari Devi murder case in December 2011. A senior minister in the Ashok Gehlot government, Maderna was arrested along with another Congress MLA for allegedly kidnapping and murdering a 36-year-old nurse in September 2011. Bhanwari Devi was allegedly blackmailing Maderna with video clips showing them in a compromising position.
4. Mohammad Shahbuddin
Don-turned-politician and former RJD MP from Siwan, Mohammad Shahbuddin is serving a life sentence since May 2007. He was convicted for kidnapping and murdering a CPI(ML) worker Chhotelal Gupta in February 1999.
5. Ramchandra Hansda
BJD MP Ramchandra Hansda was arrested by the CBI for his links with a chit fund scam in November 2014. Hansda was listed as a founder-director of Nabadiganta Capital Services, one of the fifteen firms being investigated for duping people of nearly Rs 15 crore.
6. PK Thungan
In July 2015, former Union Minister PK Thungan was pronounced guilty by a trial court in Delhi for misappropriating public funds meant for an irrigation project in Nagaland. He was sentenced to 4.5 years of rigorous imprisonment for looting the exchequer of Rs 2 crore.
PK Thungan was the Minister of State for Urban Affairs and Employment in the PV Narasimha Rao government. He was also the chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh from August 1975 to September 1979.
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