DRK’S HOMAGE TO A GREAT LEADER | Issue 020

Homage to A Great Leader Par Excellence

Hon’ble Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee Embodiment of Humility, Dignity and Culture By D.R. Kaarthikeyan, IPS (R)

Former Director CBI & DG- NHRC

New Delhi

Email: [email protected] Website: www.goodgovernance.in DRK WITH PM SHRI. ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE www.lifepositive.com

HOMAGE TO AN Siksha Abhiyan and the Fiscal remember him and to have EXTRAORDINARY LEADER Responsibility Act. experienced his efficiency, Bharat Ratna Shri. Atal Bihari compassion, kindness, Vajpayee, a poet, orator and the I remember him with admiration simplicity, humility and sense of first non-congress Prime and affection, like many millions fairness and justice. Minister who completed a full of people and leaders from term in office is no more. differing ideologies and policies. Ambassadorship Offered to me by PM Vajpayee His tact, diplomacy and Today I paid my homage to that

achievements presiding over a great personality, just before the I was about to lay down my coalition government of several funeral procession began. I also office as Director CBI on 31st parties with different ideologies had the opportunity of March 1998. The NDA is too well-known to be personally meeting the Prime Government of Shri. Atal Bihari described here. Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji Vajpayee has assumed office as a and conveyed my He is rightly applauded as heartfelt ‘Ajatshatru’ - a person with no condolences. He enemies. It is a rare distinction in personally made it today’s politics of rivalry, possible for me to competition and opportunism. enter the hall where the great person He made huge contribution to was lying in-state. the nation by the Golden Quadrilateral Project, the New I have a couple of Telecom Policy, The Sarva pleasant events to

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few days earlier. On 30th March, being the founder President of Minister. To my great surprise Shri. Brajesh Mishra, the all the National Agriculturists the PMO told me to call on the powerful NSA and Principal Awareness Movement (NAAM in PM the very next day. The PA Secretary to the Prime Minister Tamil meaning WE). told me that the PM was about called me to his office and told to leave for his retreat in me “The Prime Minister Shri. In one of my visits to my native Uttarakhand that very Vajpayee greatly appreciates village in April 2002, I found the afternoon and hence I should not your contribution to the Nation cattle being allowed to graze in take more than five minutes of by successfully investigating the the tomato field of my ancestral the PM’s time. Assassination of Former Prime land. When I asked the caretaker Minister Rajiv Gandhi, even Hurriedly I prepared my though he was a congress papers and went for the leader. So in appreciation meeting. Shri Vajpayee the Prime Minister has graciously received me, decided to recognize your made me sit by his side and commendable service by listened to me. Coffee also sending you as India’s came and so also the Ambassador to a major photographer. country. The file is under When I mentioned about process. So please do not the plight of the farmers, commit yourself to any he asked me what was my other assignment suggestion. I suggested immediately after your creation of storage retirement tomorrow”. facilities in the villages to I did not even ask him to which he told me the tomato price in enable the farmers to keep country I was being sent as the market is so low that even if their produce till they get fair Ambassador. I simply thanked the tomatoes are plucked and price in the market. He agreed him and left. That entire episode sold in the market, it will not with my suggestion. meet even the cost of the labour is mentioned in my book on Rajiv Compassion for Animal Welfare Gandhi Assassination first of plucking the tomatoes and published in April 2004 (attached hence he allowed the cattle at The next subject was about a herewith). I am mentioning this least to eat the crop with fruit. communication received from Swami Satchidananda from to show the sense of fairness and Having been shocked at the Integral Yoga Institute, USA. justice and large heartedness of plight of the farmer even when Swami wrote to me about the Shri Vajpayee, though neither there is a bumper crop, I decided PETA organisation raising the me nor anyone on my behalf to take up the matter at the issue of cruelty to animals in spoke to him for such a highest levels in the India and campaigning for recognition. government. I also had another boycott of import of leather subject for consideration of the PM’s Concern for Farmers goods from India. government about the PETA Hailing from a farming family campaign in USA against the For that the PM asked me what from a small village cruelty to animals in India. can government of India do, Devarayapuram, near when the prevention of cruelty On my return to Delhi, I took the Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu I to animals is in the jurisdiction of courageous step of asking for an continued to evince interest in the State Governments. I told appointment with the Prime the welfare of farmers – also him that if the Prime Minister

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I congratulated the PM for his most successful implementation You can change friends of Golden Quadrilateral but not neighbours. highways project linking the whole country. I requested him If India is not secular, that by undertaking the then India is not India at interlinking of rivers, he will earn

the gratitude of generations of all. the people. To that he responded positively and said Empowering the that project will also be individual means undertaken by his government. empowering the nation. Most Considerate PM And empowerment is best served through In spite of his Secretary opening could write to all the Chief the door a number of times to rapid economic growth Ministers to enforce the signal the time for my departure, with rapid social change provisions strictly to prevent the meeting went on as the PM

cruelty to animals, that fact can listened to everything with great and justice. be publicized in USA and to that attention, read my written extent the PETA campaign can proposals and made more I would like that no be countered. enquiries. citizen of the state feels He graciously agreed to do so The purpose of my mentioning and also to view the video sent alone and helpless. The this episode is to show how by Swami from USA. He also considerate he was giving me entire nation is with advised me to meet the Home enormous time listening to me them. Minister Shri. Advani. I did meet patiently, reading my papers Shri. Advani, as well as Shri. and asking for clarifications and Murasoli Maran, Minister for making suggestions. I dream of an India that Commerce and Industries; the is prosperous, strong Railway Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee, and also Ms. Menaka and caring. An India,

Gandhi to carry the campaign We have lost our that regains a place of

further. inspiration. We have honour in the comity of Interlinking of Rivers lost an "Atal Ratna" great nations. I raised the issue Interlinking of (prime jewel)….. the - Bharat Ratna Shri. Rivers, a favourite subject of thoughts, ideals and Atal Bihari Vajpayee mine as the only way by which words of Atal ji will the nation could get over the enormous loss of life and always remain with us property in one part of the and inspire us." country due to devastating MAY HIS SOUL

floods and at the same time in Shri. Narendra Modi REST IN PEACE! another part of the country due Prime Minister of India to drought.

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I did not even ask him to which contact me to obtain my consent country I was being sent as Head to join NHRC. There was also an of the Mission. I told that I only occasion when Chief Justice J.S. did my duty to the Nation. Verma also told me to join NHRC, as Justice M.N. The very next day, before I Venkatachaliah was so keen. handed over charge to my One day, the Secretary-General successor, I got a call from Chief called me when I was in Pune and justice Shri M.N. persuaded me to give my Venkatachaliah, chairman of the consent. I gave my consent National Human Rights respecting the wishes of two Commission. He invited me for a eminent Jurists. cup of coffee at his residence. After handing over charge, I A few days later, I got a call from At the Final Farewell went to his official residence. As Shri B.P. Singh, the Union Home always, he received me with lot Secretary, who was also my Extract from the book* on Rajiv of grace and offered coffee. batchmate. He told me that Gandhi Assassination – Triumph proposal has been received from He invited me to join the NHRC, of Truth published in 2004 and NHRC proposing my name to be as Director-Genera). I also told released by the Hon’ble President posted as Director General and him about the offer made by Shri of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. the Chairman had already Brajesh Mishra, who asked me to obtained my consent. A day before my relinquishing await the formal orders posting charge of the Office of Director, me as Head of a Mission abroad. He asked me if I had given my CBI, Shri Brajesh Mishra, the Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah consent, particularly as the file National Security Advisor and told me about the importance of proposing to send me as an Principal Secretary to Prime promoting and protecting Ambassador was in the final Minister Shri Atal Bihari Human Rights as a noble task, stage of approval. He suggested Vajpayee told me that the which is far more important and to me that I should rather go as Government highly appreciated satisfying than becoming an Ambassador. my dedication and performance Ambassador. He said that as I While thanking him for his in the successful investigation of have performed all my goodwill and concern, I told him the assassination of the former important positions in the that I had given my consent to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, police, respecting Human join NHRC respecting the wishes though he was the Congress Rights, I would bring credibility of Chief Justice M.N. leader. He said that in to the task in the NHRC. Venkatachaliah, Chairman, appreciation of that I told him that I was not keen on NHRC and Chief Justice J.S. commendable job done, which staying on in Delhi, a city of Verma, Chief Justice of India. I raised the prestige and security bureaucracy and hierarchy. As of the Nation, the NDA he persisted affectionately, I Government had decided to post told him that I need some time to me as Ambassador to a major consider his suggestion. country. He also added that the file, already being processed, is I went to the south. The awaiting the formal approval of Secretary- General, NHRC kept the Prime Minister. So, he said calling me to say that the that I should not commit myself Chairman has been asking him to to any other assignment. With Chief Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah

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record their appreciation of the I called on the Home Minister investigation of my team and my Shri. L.K. Advani and ensured leadership in particular by name. that only the AG appeared in the matter. I spent considerable But the court said it is not an act time with him to discuss the of terrorism, as defined in TADA. issues involved. That disappointed me and many others. In spite of spirited arguments by the AG, the Review Petition was So, I thought the Government With Chief Justice J.S. Verma summarily rejected, without would file a Review Petition in giving any reasons. also told him my presence in the Supreme Court. But a day Delhi will be useful to the before the last date for filing My only satisfaction is to ensure Government, when the appeal in Review Petition, I was told by on record that the Government Rajiv Gandhi assassination the Home Secretary, review was of India, while respecting the comes up for hearing in the not being filed as the CBI, Law verdict, has not accepted that Supreme Court of India. Advisor to CBI and the Attorney- the assassination is not an act of General have opined there is no terrorism. Though the Home Secretary still case made out for filing such a advised me to go as Review Petition. At a seminar later convened by Ambassador, he agreed to Justice Shri Jeevan Reddy, further process the proposal sent I got in touch with the Attorney- Chairman, Law Commission of by NHRC. General Shri Soli Sorabjee, who India, I had accompanied Chief was then in London. I argued Justice J.S. Verma, who had by When the appeal came up before with him that the Government then become the Chairman of three senior eminent Judges of should not accept that killing of NHRC. the Supreme Court, I was Rajiv Gandhi was not an act of requested by the Government to terrorism, though we are not Justice Shri Jeevan Reddy assist the Government Lawyers. keen on the quantum / severity insisting on my comments, I The request was made by the of punishments. said, "if a ruthless and cunning MHA through the Chairman, assassination at an election NHRC, who said I can get The AG was kind enough to ask meeting in the most treacherous involved in the matter, provided his office to send me the file. manner, of a former Prime the work in the NHRC is not After perusing the file, I called Minister, for what he did in the affected. him again at London and spoke interests of the Nation, and in to him at length. On being which 17 others, including nine For the next three months when convinced of the strength in my policemen were killed; by the the appeal was being heard, I argument, he said he was terrorists from abroad; as a had to brief the CBI Officers and revising his opinion and consequence, the elections were the senior Government Lawyers accordingly, sent a fax message handling the appeal, almost on a to me, in the NHRC. day-to-day basis, at the same time attending to my I sent the same message to the responsibilities in NHRC late in Home Minister, Home Secretary the evenings. and the Director, CBI. On that basis, a hurried Review Petition Ultimately, when the verdict was prepared and filed in the came, the Apex Court upheld my Supreme Court. investigation and placed on With President Dr. Kalam

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for myself. He asked me to any position and the consult my wife also. Government is not at fault. When I asked my dear wife It was in 2010, I was conferred Kala, she too said that what with Padma Shri Award. I was at we deserve is given by the Bangalore in the midst of a Divine; that I had never meeting, when I was informed asked anyone throughout that a senior official of the my service for a personal Ministry of Home Affairs from

With Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh favour by way of posting to Delhi, wanted to speak to me a particular place or job; immediately. When I went out to postponed and the entire history nothing is worth asking for and answer the call, the MHA Officer of India changed" is not an act of getting; and while thanking the told me that the President of terrorism, what other act will President for his thoughtful India was pleased to award qualify to be termed as gesture, we should request him Padma Shri to me and my terrorism? to take care of his health by consent was needed to inform So, I said certainly the law has to regular walking in the morning. the Media about my acceptance. be amended to leave no Accordingly, I conveyed to Dr. I responded instinctly that I had ambiguity about what Kalam the same response. I also not asked for the award; no one constitutes terrorism. told him that even if I want asked for my CV / Bio-data; I had After assuming the high office of something he had to speak to not spoken to anybody nor President of India, Dr. A.P.J. the Prime Minister and I myself anybody spoke to me on the Abdul Kalam told me at could make the request to the subject; even the most deserving Rashtrapati Bhawan that I had Prime Minister, who has respect had to request / lobby for such an rendered yeoman service to the and appreciation for me. In any award, and I was totally Nation's prestige, integrity and case I did not want the President surprised. For that the MHA sovereignty by successfully to be obliged to anyone for my Officer told me that the investigating and prosecuting sake. Government on their own considered that it was high time the Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Even later he asked me a couple Case, without yielding to any of times if I had changed my threat or pressure; my wife mind. suffered heart attack due to the tension; the Nation owes a lot to While we did meet often, I never my selfless and courageous thought of making any request service; and so, he wanted to to him for myself. know what he, as President, can Many eminent personalities, do to me by way of appreciation including Judges of Supreme – appointment as Governor of a Court have been telling me from state or Ambassador. time to time that when I had I thanked him for his made such a singular service to consideration and told him I was the Nation at enormous risk, the only doing my duty to the Government should be Nation, and there was no approached to utilize my compensation for what I have services appropriately. I have done as my duty for the nation. I been telling them that it was I do not have any request to make myself, who refuse to lobby for With Hon’ble Shri. Narendra Modi

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to recognize my services to the Bhawan, I asked Shri G.K. Pillai, neat and compiled manner for Nation. the Home Secretary: the appreciation of the court. When this fact of Padma Shri "To my understanding, lot of I appreciate the Chief Award being granted to me lobbying goes on even for the Investigating Officer, other came on the TV, many well- most deserving to get the Investigating Officers and other wishers called and congratulated Padma Shri Award. In my case, officials and staff belonging to me. Shri. Arjit Passayat, a senior no one asked for my CV / Bio- the CBI, SIT (Rajiv Gandhi eminent Judge of the Supreme data; I did not talk to anybody Assassination Case) for their Court called me to say: nor anyone spoke to me on the efficiency and hard work. subject. Then how did the award "Heartiest Congratulations, but come to me?" Before parting with the case, I you should decline the award as would like to place on record my it was too little and too late for The Home Secretary said, that sincere and grateful appreciation the commendable service everyone in the Padma Awards to the learned Public Prosecutor rendered by you to the Nation." Committee and the Government and Special Public Prosecutors thought that it was high time to and Defence Counsel." I responded: recognize my services by grant Extracts from the "Thank you for your good wishes of a Padma Shri Award. and also your sentiments. There Judgement of the Supreme Like the above episodes, there Court of India on 5th May, are many, who have sacrificed are many more episodes to be their lives in defending the shared, but they are not very 1999….. interests of the Nation. There relevant at this point of time. are many, who have done much The Hon'ble Supreme Court of greater service. Many of them Extracts from the judgement India thought it fit to place on have gone unrecognized and record of its appreciation "for the of the Trial Court at Chennai Special Investigation Team, unnoticed. When a national on 28th January, 1998…. recognition comes at any stage, constituted by Central Bureau of Investigation lo investigate the and that too without my asking, "Shri D.R. Kaarthikeyan, Chief of case. Under the stewardship of how can I decline such a the Special Investigation Team Shri D R. Kaarthikeyan, the SIT honour?" (Rajiv Gandhi Assassination did assiduous work and was able Case), who guided and He appeared to agree with me. to solve the crime within a short supervised the investigation, time.” When the Award function took deserves special appreciation for place at Rashtrapati Bhawan, his dedication, hard work, The Apex Court further noted: Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan efficiency and sincerity. He and Singh gracefully congratulated his team of Investigating "The investigation was me. While thanking him I told Officers conducted a thorough meticulous; whose ends him that I was totally surprised investigation in a scientific and tied to bring out a clear that the recognition came when systematic way. His unbiased I thought I have been totally and fair investigation has picture of conspiracy and forgotten. The Prime Minister brought to book the real accused the part played by each of responded by telling me, "How who are involved in this case by the conspirators." can the Nation forget you, when committing this heinous crime. you have done such a great job." He has taken meticulous care to * Triumph of Truth – The Rajiv Gandhi place all necessary material in a Assassination–The Investigation, Sterling While having tea after the Award Publishers, New Delhi: ISBN: 9788120790339 ceremony at Rashtrapati