Joining the chorus of demands for independent and impartial investigation into the entire gamut of tax evasion by M.K.R.Pillai, retired ASP and consultant to DGP and possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income, Naga Hoho has urged upon the state government to ensure that all the “illegitimate activities of Pillai” throughout his careers as well as consultant to DGP be “fully exposed” and be brought to justice for his actions.
NH through its communication cell recalled the recent IT raids exposed the modus operandi of Pillai who managed to manipulate the system by rising to an “influential position against all norms.”
NH said this was not surprising considering the abysmal state of affairs in Nagaland adding the case could also just be the tip of the iceberg, reflecting the standard of governance in the state.
NH said various Naga organisations and citizens have raised questions on the police department and politicians as to how Pillai was able to manage to exert power and influence in the department. It said Pillai ran various businesses throughout the country and amassed huge wealth over a period of time since he was appointed as constable through his rapid rise. NH said Nagas need to deliberate on how government servants indulge in business and contract works while in service despite service rules that clearly make it illegal. It said when government servants indulge in business it raises a conflict of interests and breeds corruption and poor governance. This is a wake up call for the state government “to discipline the government servants, be it Naga or outsiders.” NH described the case as an “unrestrained scam of enormous magnitude stretching over the last decade or so”. It said the case revealed ingredients such as- “abuse of official position; misappropriation of government funds; misuse of government property; money laundering and benami transactions.” NH said no amount of manipulation of paper work, be it tax returns, file noting or backdated amended orders could ever justify how a middle ranking retired government servant could establish a large business empire across states.
NH said the “termination of consultancy contract” of Pillai with the police department and registration of suo moto case by the State Vigilance Commission (SVC) “specifically on his appointment as consultant and not for any misuse of his official position for personal benefit” were provoked by the reaction to the widespread media coverage and commentary on social media on the case.”
Taking a jibe at the SVC, NH maintained that it would have done well to initiate investigation not only on the consultancy contract of Pillai but also over the entire issue of massive corruption that has emerged.
NH said it was well known fact among every sensible person and organisations including the SVC, on which officer or departments in Nagaland are involved in corruption by embezzling public funds on a level similar to PIllai if not more, over the years.
However, when probes were conducted involving local officers in cases similar to that of Pillai, NH said the practice was to negotiate and compromise with the clan, tribe and villages.
Further, NH reiterated that while IT department would carry out its mandated job, Nagaland should also ensure that the trails of Pillai’s corruption in the state’s own backyard be investigated in its entirety and tackled without any compromise.
In this regard, NH demanded that the state government to ensure that it take appropriate steps to expose all the illegitimate activities of Pillai carried out during his entire career and bring him to justice. Only if it was done, then it will act as deterrent to many who try to misuse their positions in like manner. NH also demanded that the state government set up a high level Special Investigation Team (SIT) to thoroughly investigate various allegations against M.K.R.Pillai even without the help of CBI “so as to deliver justice to the people.”
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