Former IPS BL Soni, who retired as director general of Rajasthan's Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in December 2022, has been attacking previous Congress government for paper leak at various platforms.
He has accused former chief minister Ashok Gehlot, who was also handling home ministry, of not acting against culprits who were involved in paper leaks. He said that in last five years papers of almost all recruitment exams were leaked.
“Gehlot was never interested in holding meetings on matters related to paper leaks. This was despite the fact that OMR sheet was recovered from mobile phone of a person of state minister level (read Gopal Keshawat), who was arrested red handed taking bribe of ₹18 lakh,” Soni said.
He had also accused Gehlot of concentrating only on framing a union minister (read Gajendra Singh Shekhawat) and a leader of his own party (read Sachin Pilot).
BL Soni, a 1988-batch IPS officer had led the Anti Corruption Bureau for more than two years. He was considered a close confidante of former chief minister Ashok Gehlot. It is said that the relationship between the two turned sour after Soni couldn't become DGP and was also not offered any post retirement posting in commission or board.
In August last year also, BL Soni had raised the issue of corruption and paper leak in Rajasthan Public Service Commission. He had been vocal about the nexus of politicians and power brokers and had shown concern over the depleting reputation of Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC). However, he remained silent after one outburst. Now again he has voiced his concern and people feel that he may come up with some revelation in the new BJP government, which has committed to clean up the examination system.
Can BL Soni become whistleblower?
BL Soni, who was considered close to Gehlot, has been seen criticising the functioning of former chief minister. He had the distinction of being the first Police Commisioner of Jaipur in 2011 during the second tenure of Ashok Gehlot.
As the DG of ACB, BL Soni must be aware of many classified information, which can be critical in busting the paper leak scam. The SOG is working round the clock to break the nexus and had made several arrests in the case including candidates who got selected fraudulently. Will BL Soni become a whistleblower to help clean up the mess at RPSC, is to be seen.
The BuckStopper, run by a group of seasoned journalists, holds the powerful accountable. The buck stops with them, as they cannot shrug off their official responsibilities.
