New Delhi: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Under Secretary Anand Joshi, accused of corruption and murky dealings with certain NGOs, who was to be questioned by the CBI in connection with a graft case on Wednesday for 2nd day, is missing from home.
According to CBI, Joshi has left a letter for his family in which he claims to be subjected to mental harassment. The central probe agency, however, denied harassing Joshi, stating that raids and searches were carried out as part of the investigation.
In the letter, Joshi has asked his wife Minakshi that he was leaving home in search of peace. He has also asked her to take care of their children and assume the role of both parents (father and mother).
“I am leaving home. Please do not look for me. Now, you (his wife) have to take care of kids by becoming both father and mother,” he said in the letter.
Joshi further said that he had never imagined that his ‘patriotism’ and integrity would lead to such a situation.
“Probably, my patriotism became my biggest enemy. I am saddened at leaving you all, but I am not able to handle myself,” he added.
Prasad, a Tamil Nadu cadre IAS officer, had joined the Home Ministry’s foreigners division in June 2014 and is due to retire on May 31.
Joshi had access to files related to Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA). He is accused of accepting bribes for getting FCRA clearances done. Joshi has, however, refuted the charges, saying he was ‘pressurised’ by Additional Secretary in the Home Ministry BK Prasad to give clean chit to some of the organisations, including the Ford Foundation.
The CBI had on Monday registered case against him under Section 120-B of the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act after conducting raids at four locations, including Joshi’s residence and office.
The CBI had said that cash worth Rs 7.5 lakh and certain ‘incriminating documents’, including files pertaining to the MHA and I&B Ministry, were recovered from the premises of the officer during the raid.
