Firoz.T.Totanawala The Bangalore Metro Reporter BEHIND THE IRON BARS KPSC FRAUD- HN KRISHNA IN JAIL

     Firoz.T.Totanawala

The Bangalore Metro Reporter

1st November 2011 issue-                

            BEHIND THE IRON BARS

               KPSC FRAUD- HN KRISHNA IN JAIL

Former KPSC Chairman and Information Commissioner HN Krishna has been sent to jail, after the judge rejected his bail application. Interestingly, not a single person had felt sympathy with his predicament. Similarly hundreds of Government officials who used to experience the vulgar abuse and threats from him in the Information Commission are happy and relieved. HN Krishna, who holds the record of having the long tenure of Membership (including Chairman Post) in KPSC, had also created a record for being the only member who is spending his time in Jail.

At long last, the long arms of law have caught up with HN Krishna, the former Chairman of KPSC and Information Commissioner. HN Krishna is basically a politician and he chose the ‘safe’ routes to get at the power. He is more famous for his foul mouth and vulgar abuse as the Information Commissioner.

When he completed his term in KPSC as chairman, he made all out efforts to become a MLC but could not garner support to rehabilitate him politically. But, HN Krishna was also not prepared to live without power. He was very much concerned about his ‘Rent free’ bungalow, official car, drivers etc. enjoyed by him as KPSC Chairman. Even after his term expired, he did not simply vacate the official car and quarters and wanted to retain the same by getting into some seat of power. But the law stipulates that a person who has been a member or Chairman of a PSC can not hold any offices, let alone offices of profit. At the maximum, the person may be nominated to UPSC or PSC of other states.

Unmindful of the reality and legality, HN Krishna made rounds of politicians in power and eyed the post of Information Commissioner for his rehabilitation and retention of his official quarters and car. Finally, he succeeded to become one of the Information Commissioners. As the constitution has barred such appointments, his appointment was challenged in the High Court but Krishna managed the situation and by misrepresenting the facts, got the petition dismissed.

As an Information Commissioner, Krishna earned notoriety for his vulgar behaviour and abuses to Government officials. In fact, such was his ‘Vulgar’ rule that many officials pleaded for hearing in other benches. Many times, HN Krishna used to threaten even senior officials. In one case of harassment of a Government official, HN Krishna used his PA to file the RTI application and appeal was heard despite the fact that the information was supplied. HN Krishna was very harsh on the Sub Registrars and openly threatened some of them that he will get them dismissed and sent to jail. Ironically, it is HN Krishna who himself is in jail now.

Even after the High Court ordered CID probe into KPSC fraud, Krishna took it lightly. He had an army of officials in KPSC who could do any damn thing for him. But, finally, the CID was forced to step up the probe and now Krishna finds himself in Jail. Whether he gets convicted or not, the fact remains that the law of the land has made Krishna, a habitual violator, taste the Jail.