MCI Central Vigilance Officer cites harassment for his fight against corruption

The Central Vigilance Officer of the Medical Council of India has sought repatriation to his parent cadre after telling the government that he may be "a victim of harassment" due to his drive against corruption. Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who had described MCI as a "den of corruption", told reporters on the sidelines of an event here that the request for repatriation by the CVO, HK Jethi, has been accepted.

Vardhan, however, evaded questions on Jethi's allegations and what action the government had taken to address them even as he said that the claims of harassment were "for the police to look in to".

The Central Vigilance Commission is learnt to have written to the health ministry seeking a report on the issue, including a list of the cases which Jethi was investigating. "I have already expressed apprehension that I may be a victim of statutory and physical harassment. This is in retaliation to my drive against corruption in MCI," Jethi had said in one of his letters to the ministry.

Incidentally, AIIMS CVO Sanjiv Chaturvedi was removed recently from the post over what he claimed was his drive against corruption, although the health minister had said that his appointment was in violation of rules.