When power paves the way for corruption

The developments in Maharashtra is a direct proof that there is no shortage of rulers in the country who are amassing ill-gotten wealth from power. The Income Tax department yesterday seized assets worth Rs 1,400 crore belonging to the family members of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. Two days ago, former Home Minister and NCP leader Anil Deshmukh was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. Deshmukh had to resign from the home ministry in connection with several corruption cases. The arrest is a continuation of that. Since any action is interpreted as political retaliation, the Anti-Corruption Department and the central agencies take action against them only with utmost care.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has been under the scrutiny of the Income Tax Department and other agencies for some time. The former Shiv Sena-BJP alliance was shattered by Pawar's manoeuvres, which were the main reason for the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress alliance government coming to power in Maharashtra. Naturally, there are those who see the Centre's political intention in the current action against Pawar. But he and his family have been found to be in possession of illegal wealth that cannot be covered up. The Pawar family's assets worth Rs 1,400 crore have been temporarily confiscated at various places, but the Income Tax Department has reportedly collected enough documents to prove that they were acquired through illicit means. A Rs 600 crore sugar factory, a Rs 25 crore office building at Nariman Point in Mumbai, a Rs 20 crore flat in Delhi, a Rs 250 crore resort in Goa and 27 properties worth Rs 500 crore in various parts of Maharashtra have been seized. Ajit Pawar, who has ministers several times, four times deputy chief minister and several times MLAs, has a huge influence.

Corruption in politics and the realization of coalition ministries across the country have led to a rise in corruption at the administrative level. When the very existence of coalition ministries is subject to various compromises, power becomes fertile ground for those addicted to corruption.

Anil Deshmukh, who was arrested on Tuesday in a corruption case, has been booked under the Anti-Corruption Act and other anti-money laundering provisions. During his tenure as Home Minister, he was accused of using police officers to extort Rs 470 crore from bar and restaurant owners. The money was laundered by setting up paper companies in his son's name. Many of these cases often ‘evaporate’ when they reach the courts. The long time it takes to settle a case is often counterproductive.