The telephone call that cut short ex-home secy Goswami's career

Recording of a telephone call made by Matang Sinh to Anil Goswami appears to have prompted the government to show the door to the former Home Secretary while two other officers are facing uncertain future for trying to help the former Union minister accused in Saradha scam.

Sources said Goswami, who sought voluntary retirement five months ahead of his tenure after a direction from the government, received a call from Sinh following which he called up a Joint Director-level officer in the CBI seeking help in avoiding Sinh’s arrest in Saradha scam.

A senior paramilitary official also intervened in the matter, sources said. The Joint Director, who also has some connections with Sinh, then called a senior officer handling the investigations requesting him to avoid the arrest, sources said.
The officer, however, reported the matter to CBI Director Anil Sinha, who later sent a report to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Joint Director, who was brought to the Centre by Goswami, is also under scanner and has been removed from a crucial assignment in the agency. According to sources, an IPS officer in a paramilitary force also intervened to stall Sinh’s arrest. It is also claimed that this officer tried to persuade CBI officers to question Sinh in Delhi rather than in Kolkata.

Sources said Home Minister Rajnath Singh was apprised by the CBI chief of the telephonic conversation between Goswami and Sinh and the complaint he received from one of his officers. Goswami had also accepted that he made the telephone call.

The Home Minister forwarded the documents related to the issue to the PMO and briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who decided on removing Goswami. “Anil Goswami was an efficient and good administrator but this particular incident I wouldn't like to link with anything else,” Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju was quoted as saying. 

While Congress’ Manish Tiwari said it was a “sad commentary” on the functioning of the government, BJP's Sambit Patra said the NDA government was working with high level of transparency and accountability and it is palpable from the sacking order.

It was said that Sinh enjoyed clout in Home Ministry during Goswami’s tenure. It was even alleged that Sinh, a former Union Minister, managed to get three IPS officers’ appointment in senior positions.