Home » Social Sector » After 20 years, this ex-govt officer was acquitted in a graft case. But what about the time lost?
 
SPEED NEWS

After 20 years, this ex-govt officer was acquitted in a graft case. But what about the time lost?

Speed News Desk | Updated on: 10 February 2017, 1:50 IST

D K Mina, a former government officer from Gujarat who faced suspension, has been only recently acquitted by the Ahmedabad High Court in a graft case that is 20 years old. But for Mina, justice might have come very late as he has just one question to ask - "How will I get my 20 years back?"

It was in 1995 that Mina was suspended and later dismissed over accusations of accepting a bribe of Rs 2,000. Since then, it has been a long legal battle for the government officer to prove his innocence.

According to a Times of India report, Mina, who was then a Class-1 officer with Registrar of Companies (RoC), was sentenced to two years of imprisonment in 2002 after which he was dismissed from service. He made an appeal in the High Court after which he moved to Mumbai with his family where he started practising as a company secretary.

Mina, a father of two, told the daily, "I have lived with the taint and humiliation for 20 years now. I kept telling them that I was innocent, but to no avail. Who will compensate for all that I have lost...reputation, career and money? Nobody wants to marry the daughter of a man accused of selling his soul. She is 28. What about her life?"

Mina, who is now 52, said that the blot destroyed his career. "It robbed me of my chance of promotion as the joint registrar. Those who were my juniors are my seniors now. I could have been earning very well and leading a comfortable life had justice been delivered in a timely manner. At least now, if the MoC gives me back my job, I can work for eight more years," said Mina.

Mina recalls the time when the post of joint registrar fell vacant in 2006-2007 and he was the only eligible candidate in his department for that post.

"Around then, I had even requested the court to expedite the proceedings, hoping things would work out for me. But it was not to be. When the RoC did not find a suitable candidate, they lowered the educational requirement and filled the post," he said.

It was at the age of 25 that Mina joined the service after clearing the Indian Company Law Service exam conducted by the UPSC. He was, reportedly, the youngest officer in his department and was just seven years into his service when the incident happened.

Fortunately, his CS qualification helped Mina to look after his family. "I still cannot believe this happened to me. Anybody else in my place would have committed suicide," he said.

After his acquittal, Mina had reportedly written to the Ministry of Commerce, under which the RoC falls, requesting them to take him back.

But even if he joins now, he will reach retirement age in eight years.

"I respect the judiciary. But there should be speedy delivery of justice else the innocent would suffer. Will money be enough compensation for all the years I have lost?" asks Mina.

First published: 24 May 2016, 5:30 IST