Social Media Shows Its Anger on the Delay in Another Retired Bureaucrat's Case

Massive Outcry on ‘X’ Demands Swift Investigation into High-Level Corruption Allegations

New Delhi: Social media users are showing their support for the immediate conclusion of the probe into the corruption allegations against retired IAS officer Ramesh Abhishek. Recently, the hashtag #ProbeRetdIASAbhishek was trending nationally on ‘X’ , following a similar trend a few days ago with #ProbeRameshAbhishek.

This surge in public interest comes on the heels of the Pune probationary IAS Pooja Khedkar case, involving her father, Dilip Khedkar, a retired bureaucrat accused of amassing huge wealth through corrupt means with the alleged help of his daughter.

The case of Ramesh Abhishek, a retired government servant, involves allegations of corruption and misuse of official positions while in service. In his case also, his daughter is also alleged to have helped him in his corrupt practices and benefited from it. Mr. Abhishek served as Secretary of the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) from March 2016 to July 2019. Despite Lokpal's directive in February 2022 to investigate, the probe has seen significant delays.
Lokpal initially directed the ED and later the CBI to investigate, but after two and a half year the probe is proceeding very slowly. By now, the properties of Mr. Abhishek should have been attached, but significant progress is still awaited.

The investigation against Mr. Abhishek began following a complaint filed by a whistleblower before Hon’ble Lokpal under the Lokyuktas Act. The main allegation in the complaint was that Mr. Abhishek misused his official position from 2012 to 2019 and amassed huge illegal wealth.

The CBI registered an FIR against Mr. Abhishek, a 1982-batch officer and his daughter, Ms. Vaneesa Abhishek, under relevant sections of the PC Act and the IPC for illicit enrichment, criminal misconduct, and criminal conspiracy for the period from 2012 to 2022. The CBI also raided Mr. Abhishek's premises in February this year. Subsequently, the ED raided his premises in May as part of a disproportionate assets-linked money laundering probe. Despite these actions, significant progress in the investigation is still awaited.

Lokpal took cognizance of the complaint by way of an order dated 02.02.2022 and directed the ED to investigate the matter as a preliminary inquiry. Investigating agencies are probing the father-daughter duo for receiving substantial amounts as professional fees from various entities and organizations with whom Mr. Abhishek had official dealings during his official position. 

It has come to light that Mr. Abhishek earned substantial amounts from corporates after stepping down as DPIIT Secretary. These companies had received various permissions from Mr. Abhishek while he was in service, suggesting that the payments made to him were quid pro quo for services rendered during his tenure.

In comparison, the swift action against Dilip Khedkar and his daughter Pooja Khedkar underscores the need for similar urgency in Ramesh Abhishek’s case. The ongoing public outrage and social media trends emphasize the demand for a swift and comprehensive investigation.

This trend was nationally ranked among the top three, demonstrating an exceptional level of public engagement in a cause focused on accountability and justice. It's not often that such issues of public interest garner widespread attention, but the #ProbeRetdIASAbhishek hashtag managed to mobilize thousands of people to voice their demands for a swift investigation. The collective outcry underscored the public's frustration with the slow progress in the case.
Prominent figures and social media influencers significantly amplified the campaign's reach and impact. For instance, Atul Say highlighted the need for urgent investigation, Ravindranath BJP emphasized the public's demand for justice, and Dr. Avadhesh BJP pointed out the need for accountability and transparency. Their participation added significant weight to the public outcry, illustrating the widespread demand for justice and immediate action in the case of Ramesh Abhishek.The call for justice is loud and clear, and it is imperative for the concerned authorities to act promptly to restore public faith in the system.