Agnivesh asks Kiran Bedi to submit her NGO for probe

Commenting on news reports that former senior police officer and civil society activist Kiran Bedi presented inflated travel expenses to NGOs and other institutions, social activist Swami Agnivesh on Thursday asked Bedi to tell either the police or the CBI to probe the earnings made from over-invoiced air tickets. 

"Her argument is not very convincing. I will request her to either file a report with the police or ask the CBI to probe her NGO, Agnivesh told the media here.

Emphasising that misuse of gallantry award discount (75 per cent) by misstating facts was a serious issue, Agnivesh asked Bedi to submit herself to an independent probe.

"This will certainly enhance her public reputation", he said.

He said investigating agencies should also probe the purpose for which her NGO's funds are being spent.

Bedi is entitled to a rebate on air tickets as a gallantry awardee that allows her to pay discounted fares, but the report stated that Bedi charges her host institutions the full fare.

Records of bills, invoices and copies of cheques with The Indian Express show that Bedi, who is entitled to a rebate on Air India tickets as a gallantry award winner, pays discount fares but charges her host institutions the full fare. She has also, at times, claimed business class fare while flying economy.

The newspaper has 12 recorded examples of this, some of which date back to 2006 when Bedi was a serving IPS officer. Her last such travel for which an inflated invoice was sent was on September 29.

Dismissing the report, Bedi said: "We follow transparent methods of functioning and volunteer to be questioned or audited. Every penny in our work is accounted for and is for the facilitation of causes we espouse."

"We have been very conscientious of trust and responsibility... And hence punctual and meticulous in our systems," she added.

"Business class travel is part of the invitation or entitlement from the event organizers  I'm asked to speak at," she said.

"Travelling economy is a choice despite entitlement only to ensure that savings remain with the NGO. No personal gain here," she added.