The Forgotten CWG Scam and Shunglu Committee

You might remember about Shunglu Committee from the chapter of Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party. You can read full story here. The committee did a really good job for the assigned task in Aug 2016 by submitting its findings in Dec 2016. And, thanks to LG office for taking a quick action on committee findings. Shunglu Committee findings and action taken can easily be understood as they don't have as many zeros as any other scam. 

Now why I'm mentioning about Shunglu Committee here? You will figure it out if you remember the 2010 CWG Scam. A scam discussed worldwide and which exposed our broken system to the whole world by demonstrating it in real time. This is year 2017; 7 anniversaries of scams and no major action on the accused; no recovery from the damn scam!!! A few more years, the files will disappear, burnt, evidences will be erased and accused will get another big opportunity and responsibility. If you remember, it was the same Shunglu Committee which was given the responsibility to find out irregularities in the 2010 CWG Scam. 

It was Oct 2010 when Shunglu Committee was formed to look into the irregularities of CWG scam (link 1, link 2) and submit its report in 3 months. After seeking more time in Jan 2011, committee submitted its report in Mar 2011 (link 1, link 2) and everyone went silent except some media debates. After 2 months of report submission, in May 2011, as every other accused, the Delhi Govt rejected all the findings from report and sent its response to Home Ministry. 

After some back and forth debates, in the next month (Jun 2011) PMO started examining the Shunglu committee report. FYI, by then, committee had submitted total 6 reports. A file photo of Vijender Gupta (Present leader of Opposition in Delhi Assembly) can be seen along with other leaders submitting a memorandum to the Shunglu Committee Chairperson. In the photo, I'm not sure what the other leaders are involved in at present but both Vijender Gupta and Shunglu Committee are still active. 

Delhi BJP President Vijender Gupta along with Senior leaders Madan Lal Khurana, Mange Ram Garg and other delegation members meeting Shunglu Committee Chairman, V.K.Shunglu to submit a memorandum against the CWG corruption. A file photo: S. Subramanium. 

 PMO started examining the report on CWG scam in Jun 2011 and it took 2.5 years for them to complete its examination and take any action based on recommendation. It was Dec 2013, when PMO refused to release any information related to action taken in the alleged 2010 CWG scam. 3 years of inaction by the UPA govt as the accused were never tried, CWG scam became favourite dialogue among different political leaders. And believe me, this dialogue played a critical role in 2014 parliament and Delhi assembly election. It was again the month of Oct, 6th anniversary of CWG scam and different government (it used to be in opposition in 2013 when PMO refused to release any info) when CVC denied to share CWG probe report and we still don't know what actually were the findings in Shunglu Committee report and whether any actions were taken? Forget about it!!

In Dec 2016, after CVC denial, the 2010 CWG Scam main accused Suresh Kalmani almost got a bigger opportunity in Indian Olympic Association as Life President but due to some developments it lasted for less than 24 hours. For whatever reason (most likely the CWG Scam) he didn't (or couldn't ) accept the Life Presidency of IOA, but his choice of being a president itself is questionable. And this confirms that, no matter what kind of murder, accusation, IPC act you are facing; if you get political backing, you can't be stopped. 

There is no doubt that our system has developed in a way that it requires political willingness to take any action. You name any type of incident, there will be examples when political willingness mattered even though the inquiring agency and office of execution remains same. Recent actions in AAP episode is a perfect example. It is the same Shunglu committee recommendation which made Delhi LG Office (under control of central govt) to take action. All this happened while the proceedings on the recommendations on 2010 CWG Scam from the same Shunglu committee are not taken by the same govt. 

Rest, Aam Aadmi Party also promised to open 2010 CWG Scam and ACB registered FIR against Shiela Dixit in CWG street light scam during their first 49 days of government. In another case of the same scam, 4 MCD officials and 2 others were jailed and the firm was fined. But, ACB case couldn't make much progress after its registration (haven't seen any report on this). Most likely this case doesn't have any political backup. 

At the moment, active politician and present leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly Vijender Gupta (with experience as petitioner and political connection with the present BJP govt), present Delhi's ruling Aam Aadmi Party and once upon a time party of opposition (present ruling party); if all come together then the present opposition forces can't stop them in accelerating all the pending CWG Scam cases and punish the guilty. A single example of this kind may stop some of the future scams.