Team Anna accuses govt of targeting members

With Income Tax (I-T) office slapping a notice on activist Arvind Kejriwal to pay dues, Team Anna Hazare today alleged that the government was back to its "dirty tricks department" and that officials were pressurised by "political bosses" to act against them.

Other than the I-T office's notice to Kejriwal to pay dues of Rs9.27 lakh, Team Anna also referred to a Delhi police report which said a a CD purported to contain conversation between lawyer Shanti Bhushan and political leaders was genuine. Notices for breach of privilege have also be moved in Parliament against Kiran Bedi.

The Office of the Chief Commissioner of Income Tax had on August 5 issued a notice to Kejriwal, an IRS officer, asking him to pay up, 11 days ahead of Hazare's fast demanding a strong Lokpal.

"This shows that the government has not learnt any lessons. The smear campaign is still on... There is a notice against Arvind. Delhi police has closed the investigations in the CD case saying the disc was genuine. There is also a privilege notice against Bedi.

"They are back to dirty tricks. They are back to the dirty tricks department," lawyer and Team Anna member Prashant Bhushan told a press conference along with Kejriwal and Bedi in New Delhi.

Chief commissioner of income tax issued notice to Kejriwal to clear the dues alleging that he violated the bond clauses underwhich he went for a study leave for two years.

Kejriwal claimed he "did not violate" any bond provision and he resigned from the job after the stipulated three years of rejoining duty after study leave.

On the privilege notice, Bedi said she will not apologise and would say, "I am sorry I will not say sorry to you. I will show a bigger mirror to them on what is happening in our Parliament and assemblies."

"It is not the IT Department's decision. They are doing what the government is saying. The IT officials have no role in this notice. They are doing because of the pressure from the political bosses," Kejriwal said.

Kejriwal said he had taken a study leave on full pay for two years from November 1, 2000 and he rejoined office on November 1, 2002 after signing a bond that he would refund the salary if he resigns or retires or fail to resume duty within three years of his study leave.

"I have not violated any provisions. What government is saying is wrong. After over one year of rejoining, I took leave without pay which was sanctioned by my superiors. I worked for RTI. I was not into any wrongdoings. I have not signed any bond that I will not take leave after rejoining.

"The government it seems is trying interpret that the leave which I took after rejoining violates bond provisions. Taking leave is a right and the government has sanctioned it," he said.

Emphasising that he has not violated any rules, he also said government has powers to waive "violations" if it is in public interest. He claimed then CBDT chairman has written in the report that his works were in public interest and his case should be waived.

However, other senior officials were not in favour of such waiver.

He also questioned the timing of the issuance of notice to him, just 11 days ahead of Hazare's agitation for which he played a prominent role.