Taking a serious note of the Telangana Government’s indifference over the release of former MP Anand Mohan, the 1985 batch of IAS officers has joined hands to challenge the Bihar Government’s decision in Supreme Court.
Anand Mohan was convicted in the murder of the then District Magistrate of Gopalganj IAS officer G. Krishnaiah in December 1994.
While initially, the 1985 batch of IAS officers decided to raise donations, soon IPS, IT, Customs and Excise officials also started contributing from across the country.
The donations are intended to help Krishnaiah’s wife Uma Devi to file a writ petition in Supreme Court. The writ has been filed in the Supreme Court and the first hearing is on May 6.
While financial transactions are being handled by former TS Special Chief Secretary Suresh Chanda, the legalities are handled by Sandeep Chopra, a former Director of LBSNAA.
Dalit IAS officer Suresh Chanda said, “It seems that the removal of the ‘murder of a public servant on duty’ clause from the Bihar Prison Manual, 2012, for which remission cannot be considered was aimed at helping Anand Mohan. If it was reforms, then many changes had to be made and not just one clause. A public servant on duty is recognised by CrPC and IPC and has to be provided protection. The law recognises this.”
The call for donations received an overwhelming response and nearly 1,200 officials ranging from very senior officers and those from the latest batches contributed.
“The overwhelming response with many officers saying that let money not be the issue strengthens our case. Officers from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have responded very well,” Chanda said.
It may be mentioned here that the Telangana IAS Officers Association failed to respond on the issue. They have not released any statement so far even though other states have requested the Bihar CM to reconsider his decision.
On December 5, 1994, Mohan instigated a mob which dragged Dalit IAS officer G. Krishnaiah out of his official car and murdered him.
