Scams and Scandals of Neharu Govt.- Cycle Scam 1951

Scams and Scandals of Neharu Govt.- Cycle Scam 1951

The mutual relations between the three pillars of democracyviz: Legislature, Executive and Judiciary as well as accountability between them is a real sign of true democracy. But today our country feels as if it is in a pool of scandals and corruption. Better to say India in scams and not scams in India.

The Congress party since it’s very beginning is notorious for scuttling, and diverting investigations by influencing CBI and other investigating agencies or suppressing those who are party to the investigations in a way that a probe dies it’s natural death. 

Cycles imports scam took place in 1951. SA Venkataraman a member of Indian Civil Service(Later modified  as “Indian Administrative Service”),  the then Secretary, Commerce and Industries, Govt. of India was bribed by a foreign firm “Millers Timber and trading Company Ltd.” and in return he gave the permission to “Millers Timber and trading Company Ltd.” for the sale of their company cycles. In fact M/s “Millers Timber and trading Company Ltd.” Was neither manufacturing nor it was trading in cycles but the firm was a timber trader. Later “Millers Timber and trading Company Ltd.” Was delisted from ASX list on 29-11-1961 for non compliance of  listing requirements and violation of rules.

 

Image Source-prabhuchawala.blogspot.in

 Mr. SA Venkataraman was also charged for offences of violating service rules,  misbehaving seniors and ministers. And penalized after departmental enquiry. Late he approached the judiciary and the litigation went upto Supreme Court where it was finally turned down.

The cycle import scam emerged in year 1951 and Mr. S.A. Venkataraman the then Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry was charged for an offence of accepting illegal gratifications and jailed for accepting a bribe in lieu of granting a cycle import quota to a company. 

After six years of the cycle scam in the year 1956, a prominent businessman of North India, Muhammad Sirajuddin was found guilty of illegal practices. His diary was ceased during the raids. Things were quite different as per Sirajuddin’s diary. It was found  that many leaders of Orissa  were giving commission to businessmen.. He was owner of many mines and the diary found with him proved that he had relations with many known politicians. But no action was taken in this regard. Consequently, the  news got published after some time. Later the then Minister of Mines and Fuel Keshav Dev Malviya agreed that  he took Rs. 10,000 from a mining owner of Orissa commission. Later, Malviya had to resign under pressure from Nehru the then Prime Minister.