UP whistleblower on fast unto death

Singh received bullet injuries, threats

Like slain IPS officer Narendra Singh, who was allegedly killed by the mining mafia in Madhya Pradesh after he dared to act against them, this Uttar Pradesh official too would have faced the same fate. But he survived with scars that would be with him for the rest of his life.

And now, after he failed to have his bosses act against corrupt persons, the official has embarked on a fast unto death on Monday to force the government to take note of his demands.

Provincial service officer Rinku Singh, who was recently the social welfare officer in UP’s Muzaffarnagar district, was shot at by the mafia for daring to stop corrupt practices.

Singh received seven bullet injuries and almost lost his left eye. The former BSP government, he says, instead of acting against the goons, shunted him out of the district and posted him at an insignificant place. 

Singh’s only fault was that he had shown the courage to thwart the attempt of the mafia, which was hand-in-glove with corrupt ‘babus’ to swindle Rs 40 crore.

“I was sent to an insignificant area of posting after the attack. I would have died. The mafia still threatens me but the government has not taken any action against them,” said Singh.

“Corrupt people know that they will not be exposed if they kill honest officials, and clean officials do not have any protection,” said Singh, whose indefinite fast unto death in front of the UP assembly sent officials scrambling for explanations.

“Crore of rupees have been swindled in the social welfare department. Every year Rs 35 crore to Rs 40 crore is looted by the mafia and babus. Those who oppose it are either shunted out or intimidated,” he said.

Singh had earlier demanded action against the mafia and threatened that he would go on an indefinite fast. Now, senior government officials are trying to persuade him to call off his protest.