Councillor suspended for misusing powers

The Lokayukta also recommended that the matter of indictment be publicised through notices posted in his area. It had received a complaint that Bindal was allegedly releasing pension only to those who were subscribing to a particular magazine for Rs 1,100 a year.

In its report,the Lokayukta observed that the respondent (councillor) made the pensioners believe that subscribing to the magazine was a pre-requisite for releasing pension. “The respondent has abused and misused his position by demanding and collecting Rs 1,100 as contribution for the magazine. Being the ‘rashtriya mahamantri’ of the magazine,he had made subscribing to it a pre-requisite for releasing or paying pension,” it stated.

The Opposition in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has demanded that an FIR be filed against Bindal. “BJP sat on a hunger strike against corruption but their own people are as corrupt as ever,” said J K Sharma,leader of Opposition.

The report said it was a fit case for the competent authority to direct an investigation and inquiry into the complaints. Terming the act ‘despicable’,the report said,“It is a fit case for application of the ‘name and shame’ doctrine. To avoid such misuse by any councillor in the future,the Lokayukta has recommended that disbursement of pension be done electronically,through banks. The Lokayukta also observed that the poor,aged,handicapped and helpless,who have no means of subsistence,were allegedly deprived by the councillor of a significant part of their pension to further the interests of a magazine.

Bindal,for his part,alleged that he has been made a scapegoat of the BJP’s anti-corruption drive. “I will speak to my lawyers and go to court against the decision,” he said.