Purohit retires, his guns stay trained on CVC Vittal

Gaurav C Sawant

New Delhi, April 30: ‘‘THE Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) made a major mistake by not cross-checking my complaint and letting corrupt people continue in office,’’ Rear Admiral Suhas Purohit has said.

Purohit, who retired from the Navy today, said he was not a bitter man but the last two years in service left a bitter taste in his mouth. ‘‘I served in the Navy for 36 years. Things started going wrong in August 1997 when the Ministry of Defence (MoD) was asked to investigate an anonymous complaint against me just before my promotion. Despite being exonerated by both naval headquarters and the MoD in separate inquiries, I was denied promotion,’’ he recalled.

Purohit admits he is hurt that though an anonymous complaint against him was given so much weightage, ‘‘a signed, well-researched and documented complaint made by him against corrupt naval officials’’ was not given any importance.

Purohit may have retired today but his fight against corruption in the system is far from over: he has trained his guns on N. Vittal, the Chief Vigilance Commissioner. ‘‘The CVC has lost an opportunity to bring out a change in the system and cleanse it of corruption. My complaints were made through the proper channel. The Navy had purchased equipment worth Rs 37 for Rs 1,700 and more. The CVC should have crossed-examined me and cross-checked the information. But they did not do so. Why?’’ he asks.

Purohit says he had hoped that punishment for the guilty would be swift and strong so that it would send the right signal down the line. ‘‘We are not fighting Rs 100 charged by a clerk to permit a truck through. We are trying to fight corruption at a much higher level, amounting to lakhs of rupees,’’ he adds.

Despite many petitions to then Defence minister George Fernandes (who has been accused of using Purohit as a pawn in the fight against former Navy chief Vishnu Bhagwat), Purohit failed to get justice. ‘‘I have approached the Delhi High Court for justice. I want my promotion and then my retirement will be declared null and void. Had I got my promotion after Naval headquarters and MoD cleared my name, I would have had another two years to go on. My promotion was wrongfully denied to me,’’ he says wistfully, but adds with conviction: ‘‘I have faith in the judiciary. I know I will get justice.’’ Adding to his optimism is the fact that a soldier is at the MoD’s helm of affairs now. ‘‘Jaswant Singh is a soldier first and a minister later. He will give me what is rightfully due,’’ Purohit asserts.