Probe Demanded into Indian Oligarch Adani’s Shady Deals
While the opposition parties in India are mostly extinct, they fail to realize that no investigating officer or court judge can dare topronounceanyjudgmentagainstModiorhis friends.
The functioning of both Houses - Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha - of Indian Parliament was suspended on February 2 as opposition parties demanded a probe into the alleged stock marketscambyoligarchGautamAdani.
Adani-whoisaclosecapitalistcronyofprimeminister(PM)NarendraModi-hasbeenfacing afiercebacklashasamassiveinvestigativereportofHindenburgResearchhasaccusedAdani ofcommitingoneofthebiggestcorporatefraudsintheworld.
InthereportreleasedonJanuary24,HindenburghassaidthattheAdaniGrouphasengaged inabrazenstockmanipulationandaccountingfraudschemeoverthecourseofdecades.
Although the Adani Group issued a vague rebuttal onJanuary26totheHindenburgreport, thetroublesofAdaniandhiscompanieshavebeenmountingasinvestorsandobservershave littleconfidenceinwhatAdanisays.Disturbedbythedamningreportanditslossofcredibility inthemarket,onFebruary1,theAdaniGroupwithdrewitsFollow-onPublicOffer(FPO)and subsequentlyGautamAdanireleasedavideoofhisrhetoricaboutthestateofhisbusiness.
HindenburgResearchonAdani:CorporateFraudCase.Photo:RMNNewsService
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 3of24
The opposition parties allege that Adani and Modi play hand in glove with each other and many central public sector undertakings including Life Insurance Corporation(LIC)ofIndia, publicsectorbanks,andfinancialinstitutionsarebeingforcedbytheModiregimetoinvestin loss-makingAdanibusinesses.
It is also alleged that inquidproquodeals,AdanihasbeenhelpingModiwithhismoneyto help the latterwinelectionsunscrupulously.Therefore,ModimisuseshispositionasthePM of India to get business contracts for Adani not only in India but also in other parts of the world.[YoucanclickheretowatcharelatedvideoonRMNYouTubeChannel.]
Last year, for example, there were reports that Modi – in collusion with the Sri Lanka government – got an energy project in Mannar districtfortheAdaniGroup.Accordingtoan NDTVreport,thecitizensheldaprotestinSriLankaʼsbiggestcityColomboagainstthealleged favouringoftheAdaniGroup.
The locals complained that the Adani Group got the project as part of a “dubious” deal between Modi and Sri LankanPresidentGotabayaRajapaksa.ItisallegedthattheSriLanka Parliament passed an amendment to the Electricity Act to facilitate the Adani deal without anybiddinginthe500-megawattsolarandwindenergyprojectworthaboutRs.5,000crore.
In fact, Modi is known for his collusionwiththebigcorporateswhosplurgehugemoneyon falsepublicitytohelpModihoodwinkthevotersandwinelectionsfraudulently.
InthemurkyRafalefighteraircra dealwithDassaultAviationofFrance,Modihelpedanother corporate friend Anil Ambani with the Rafale business contract, although Ambani had no experienceinthisdomain.
Thedealwasforthesaleof36Rafalefighterjets–madebyDassault–totheIndianstatefor 7.8billioneuros.Toputthissumintocontextitistheequivalentoftheannualgrossdomestic product(GDP)ofacountrysuchasBenininWestAfrica.
While Modi is an illiterate and uncivilized politician, his entire career is built on communal riotsandhissurreptitiouslinkswiththecountryʼsoligarchswhomisusecountryʼsresourcesto expandtheirbusinessesandhelpModiandhispartyinelections.
Their nexus has reduced India to a level of criminalized kleptocracy, in which all the four pillarsofdemocracyhavecollapsed.ThecourtsinIndiahavelosttheirrelevance,bureaucrats areextremelycorrupt,whilethepoliceandsecurityforcesoperateasgangsofcriminals.
The Hindenburg report reveals that the Rs. 17.8 trillion (U.S. $218 billion) Adani Group chairmanhasamassedanetworthofroughly$120billion,addingover$100billioninthepast
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 4of24
3 yearslargelythroughstockpriceappreciationinthegroupʼs7keylistedcompanies,which havespikedanaverageof819%inthatperiod.
The report also says that key listed Adani companies have taken on substantial debt, including pledging shares of their inflated stock for loans, putting the entire group on precariousfinancialfooting
Hindenburg Research adds in its report that criticism of Indiaʼs elite businessmen and politicians has increasingly resulted in journalists being imprisoned or outright murdered Amidst this climate of stifled expression, the report says, corporate fraud has largely gone unchecked.
Meanwhile,theoppositionparties-ledbyCongress-havecalledforaninvestigationintothe AdaniGroupʼsbusinessdealsbyaJointParliamentaryCommittee(JPC)orateamunderthe supervisionoftheChiefJusticeofIndia(CJI).
While the opposition parties in India are mostly extinct, they fail to realize that no investigating officer or court judge candaretopronounceanyjudgmentagainstModiorhis friends.
Therefore, soon this case of corporate fraud willalsobebrushedunderthecarpet,asithas happenedwithothercasesinwhichModiorhiscroniesareallegedlyinvolved.
Transparency International Releases Dubious Corruption Research Report
Transparency International is releasing some arm-chair research reports based on some hiddenperceptionswhichcannotbeverified.
Theself-styledanti-corruptionoutfitTransparencyInternational(TI)saidonJanuary31,2023 that it hasreleasedits2022CorruptionPerceptionsIndex(CPI)which,accordingtoTI,ranks 180countriesandterritoriesbytheirperceivedlevelsofpublicsectorcorruption.
In a statement issued with thereport,TIsaidthatmostoftheworldfailstofightcorruption andtheCPIglobalaverageremainsunchangedfortheeleventhyearinarow.Infact,bygiving such vague statements and static reports, Transparency International has been trying to hoodwinktheworldforyears.
It is being observed that Transparency International is perhaps theonlyorganizationinthe world which has created exaggerated hype about its anti-corruption work while its contributionisinsignificant TransparencyInternationalisreleasingsomearm-chairresearch
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 5of24
reports based on some hiddenperceptionswhichcannotbeverified.Italsopublishessome news reports taken from external sources and news outlets. As an events management company,Transparencyalsoholdssomecommercialeventswhichlackpurpose
ThemodusoperandiofthisGermany-basedorganizationisthatitli ssomenewsstoriesfrom differentmediasourcesandrecyclesthemtopresentthemasitsownresearchwork.Infact, TransparencyInternationalisworkingasasecondarymediaoutfitwhichhasnooriginalityin itswork.
Itrepeatsitsreportsyeara eryearwithsomecosmeticchangesinoldreportsandgivesthe same country rankings because Transparency International is not doing any primary or original research. It o en issues raw recommendations which are hardly used by the governments because these recommendations are usually very crude and written in an unprofessionalmanner.
Actually, the work of an anti-corruption agency is useless if it cannot release conviction reports of the corrupt people who have been convicted and imprisoned because of the agencyʼsexclusiveefforts.ButtheworkofTransparencyInternationalissorawandvaguethat it is difficult to verify and measure it empirically Therefore, you can easily discard the research reports such as the so-called CPI and other findings ofTransparencyInternational which runs its operations in a dubious manner. The donors should also think twice before
ConferenceoftheStatesPartiestotheUnitedNationsConventionagainstCorruption(UNCAC)–COSP8 Photo:UNODC(RepresentationalImage)
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 6of24
giving even a single penny to Transparency International and governments can ignore its shadyresearchfindingsandrecommendations.
Disclosure:Asajournalistandanti-corruptionactivist,Ihadparticipatedinaglobalpetition led by Germany-based organization Transparency International to call for the UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption, UNGASS2021,todirectallcountriestosetup central,publicregistersofbeneficialownership.|RakeshRaman
Delay in the Investigation and Prosecution of the Corruption Case of IAS O cers
As a result of the stateimpunityprovidedtogovernmentfunctionaries,theyarecommitting actsofcorruptionblatantlywithoutanyfearofpunishment.Isentthefollowingcomplaintto theauthorities.
To January18,2023
Mr.RajivGauba
CabinetSecretary
CabinetSecretariat,GovernmentofIndia
NewDelhi
Kind Attention: Mr. D.K. Jain, Under Secretary (VCC), Cabinet Secretariat, Room No. 207, VigyanBhawanAnnexe,NewDelhi110001
CopyforUrgentAction:
Dr.JitendraSingh
MinisterofState,MinistryofPersonnel,PublicGrievancesandPensions
DepartmentofPersonnelandTraining(DoPT)/PrimeMinisterOffice(PMO)
GovernmentofIndia,NorthBlock,NewDelhi110001
KindAttention:Ms.NilaMohanan(Director),AdministrativeVigilanceDivision-I/DoPT
Subject:DelayintheinvestigationandprosecutionofthecorruptioncaseofIASofficers
Complaintby:RakeshRaman
DearOfficers,
Inresponsetothecomplaintsfiledbyme,theDoPThasbeenrepeatedlydirectingtheCabinet Secretariattoinvestigatethecorruptioncaseof10IASofficers[SeeExhibit1,Exhibit2,Exhibit 3,andExhibit4givenbelow ]ButtheCabinetSecretariatdidnottakeanyaction
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 7of24
TheDepartmentofPersonnelandTraining(DoPT)hassentmultiplesuchletterstoMr.D.K.Jain,Under Secretary(VCC),CabinetSecretariat,GovernmentofIndia.Butnoactionhasbeentaken.
Astheinvestigationandprosecutioninthiscasewasgettingdelayed,IfiledanRTIapplication datedOctober12,2022totheCabinetSecretariat[reproducedbelow].InresponsetomyRTI
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 8of24
application, the Cabinet Secretariat informed me with its letter dated 10.11.2022 that the matterregardingDoPTʼsOMsisunderprocess.[SeeExhibit5givenbelow.]ButIamsorryto saythatstillnoactionhasbeentakeninthiscase
As a journalist and anti-corruption activist, I have been observing that the government anti-corruption agencies keep tossing the corruption complaints between different departmentsorkeepsendingtheperfunctoryletterstothecomplainants.Buttheyneverdare to formally investigate the accused officials. The investigations happen only when some politicalangleisinvolved.Thatiswhycorruptionisincreasingrapidlyinthecountry.
Ihavestatedsomeofthesefactsinthe“IndiaCorruptionResearchReport2022(ICRR2022)” that I have compiled and released recently. [ You can click heretodownloadandstudythe report.]
As a result ofthestateimpunityprovidedtogovernmentfunctionaries,theyarecommitting actsofcorruptionblatantlywithoutanyfearofpunishment.Therefore,Irequestyouagainto beginaformalinvestigationandprosecutioninthiscorruptioncaseofIASofficerssothatthey couldbeconvictedandimprisonedattheearliest.
In order to stop corruption and environmental crimes in which these officers are allegedly involved, they must be immediately jailed because their presence in the public poses a serious threat to the citizens who want to live in a corruption-free and pollution-free environment.[Youcanclickheretodownloadandstudythecasedetails.]
Note:Iwillbeavailableforonlinemeetings/videoconferencingtoexplainvariousaspectsof thecasetotheinvestigatingofficers.
[Youcanclickheretodownloadandreadthecomplaint ]
Requestforanearlyresponse.
ThankYou
RakeshRaman
U.S. Sanctions Senior Paraguayan O cials for Corruption
Velazquez has engaged extensively in corrupt practices, including influence peddling and bribery.
The United States announced on January 26 that it is sanctioning a former and a current senior Paraguayan official fortheirinvolvementinsystemiccorruptionthathasundermined democraticinstitutionsinParaguay.AccordingtoastatementissuedbytheU.S.Department of State, the DepartmentoftheTreasuryisdesignatingHoracioManuelCartesJara(Cartes),
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 9of24
the former President of Paraguay, and Hugo Adalberto Velazquez Moreno (Velazquez), the currentVicePresidentofParaguay.
It is also designating four entities ownedorcontrolledbyCartes:TabacosUSAInc,Bebidas USA Inc., Dominicana Acquisition S.A., and Frigorifico Chajha S.A.E. These individuals and entities are being sanctioned pursuant to Executive Order 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human RightsAccountabilityActandtargetsperpetrators ofserioushumanrightsabuseandcorruptionaroundtheworld
“Todayʼs actions reinforce the Department of Stateʼs public designations of Cartes and Velazquez for significant corruption in 2022, demonstrating our continued commitment to combattingsystemiccorruption,addressingstatecapture,bolsteringdemocraticinstitutions, andpromotingaccountabilityinParaguay,”saidU.S.SecretaryofState,AntonyJ.Blinken.
Cartes,oneofthewealthiestindividualsinParaguay,wasPresidentofParaguayfrom2013to 2018 and is currently the leader of the Colorado Party. During his tenure as President and since,Carteshasengagedinaconcertedpatternofcorruption,includingwidespreadbribery of government officials and legislators.Formorethanadecade,Cartesleveragedhisillicitly acquired wealth and influencetoexpandhispoliticalandeconomicpoweroverParaguayan institutions. Velazquez has engaged extensively in corrupt practices, including influence peddling and bribery. While serving as Vice PresidentofParaguay,Velazquezhasworkedto
U.S.SecretaryofStateAntonyBlinken.Photo:DepartmentofState
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 10of24
interfere with legal processes to protect himself andcriminalassociatesfrominvestigations andthreatenedthosewhocouldexposehiscriminalactivity.
“Todayʼs actions support the United States Strategy on Combatting Corruption. The United StatesstandswiththepeopleofParaguay.WewillcontinuetosupportpartnersinParaguayan institutions in their own efforts to combat corruption and defend the rule of law,” Blinken said.
Volker Türk Expresses Concern at Persecution of Judicial O cials in Guatemala
Justice officials and other individuals involved in fighting impunity or in anti-corruption processeshavebeeninvestigated,detained,chargedandevenconvictedforabuseofpower, obstructionofjusticeandconspiracy.
UNHighCommissionerforHumanRightsVolkerTürkonJanuary18expresseddeepconcern at repeated intimidation, harassment and reprisals against justice officials and other individuals involved ineffortstocombatimpunityforhumanrightsviolationsorworkingon anti-corruptioncases.
“It is dramatic, given Guatemalaʼs history, that those fighting for accountability for gross human rights violations aretheonesnowbeingpersecuted,”saidTürk.“Equallyconcerning are the attacksagainstthosetryingtocombatoneoftheworstvirusestoafflictanysociety: corruption.”
Justice officials and other individuals involved in fighting impunity or in anti-corruption processeshavebeeninvestigated,detained,chargedandevenconvictedforabuseofpower, obstruction of justiceandconspiracy.Inaddition,severalothershavele thecountryoutof fearfortheirsafety
Between2021and2022,theUNHumanRightsOfficeinGuatemaladocumentedamorethan 70percentincreaseinthenumberofjusticeofficialsfacingintimidationandcriminalcharges fortheirworkoncorruptionorhumanrightsviolations,particularlythosethatoccurredinthe contextofthearmedconflictthattookplacebetween1960and1996.
On16Januarythisyear,theChiefoftheSpecialProsecutorʼsOfficeagainstimpunity(FECI–Fiscalía Especial contra la Impunidad) announced warrants of arrest against three justice officials.OnewasastaffmemberofCICIG,theInternationalCommissionagainstImpunityin Guatemala, a UN-backed body chargedwithinvestigatingandprosecutingseriouscrimesin the country. The Government closed down CICIG in 2019. Between 2007 and 2019, CICIG assisted the national judicial system in dealing with more than 100 high-profile cases of
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 11of24
alleged corruption and other criminal offences involving Government officials, members of CongressandtheCourts,andseveralindividualsintheprivatesector.
Upon the disbanding of CICIG, there has been a steady increase in the number of cases of harassmentandcriminalchargesagainstitsformerofficials,andprosecutors.
“Thesejudicialprocessesandthelackofdueprocessguaranteesunderminetheruleoflawin the entire country,” said the UN Human Rights Chief. “I call on the authorities to take appropriate measures to strengthen and guarantee the independence of the justicesystem andprovidethenecessaryprotectiontojusticeofficials.”
Courtesy:UNHumanRightsOffice
U.S. Announces Public Designations of Serbian Leaders
ThesepublicdesignationsaremadeunderSection7031(c)oftheannualDepartmentofState, ForeignOperations,andRelatedProgramsAppropriationsAct.
The United States announced on January 27 that it is designating former Serbian National Assembly Representatives Verica Radeta and Petar Jojić for their involvement in significant corruption. While serving in the National Assembly of Serbia, Radeta and Jojić bribed and intimidatedwitnessesscheduledtoappearbeforetheInternationalCriminalTribunalforthe Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to dissuade them from offering incriminating evidence against
UnitedNationsHighCommissionerforHumanRights,VolkerTürk.Photo:UNOfficeoftheHigh CommissionerforHumanRights
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 12of24
Serbian Radical Party (c SRS) leader VojislavSeselj,whowassubsequentlyconvictedofwar crimes.
AccordingtoastatementissuedbytheU.S.DepartmentofState,theirconductinterferedwith judicial processes, leading the ICTY to issue international arrest warrants for contempt, threatening regional stability, and adversely impacting the national interests of the United States.
The statement added that thesedesignationsreaffirmthecommitmentoftheUnitedStates to combat corruption, which harms the public interest, hampers partnersʼ economic prosperity,andcurtailstheabilityofgovernmentstorespondeffectivelytotheneedsoftheir people.TheUnitedStatessaysitcontinuestostandwithallSerbiansinsupportofdemocracy and the rule of law and will continue topromoteaccountabilityforthosewhoabusepublic powerforpersonalgain.
Thesepublicdesignations includingthatofJojićʼsadultson,GojkoJojić aremadeunder Section7031(c)oftheannualDepartmentofState,ForeignOperations,andRelatedPrograms AppropriationsAct.
Stop Lethal FAR Construction, Corruption, and Pollution in Delhi
Illegalfloorarearatio(FAR)constructioninDelhihousingsocieties
These days, a harmful floorarearatio(FAR)constructionishappeninginIndiaʼscapitalNew Delhi.TheFARschemeofthegovernmentallowsDelhiʼscooperativegrouphousingsocieties (CGHS)tocarryoutmassiveconstructioninoccupiedhousingsocieties.
SincetheFARconstructionwhichrunsforyearsspreadslethaldustpollution,noisepollution, and air pollution in housing complexes, hundreds or thousands of children, men, womenincludingseniorcitizens-wholiveinthesehouseshavebeensufferingforthepastfewyears.
Thecitywideconstruction-cum-corruptionracket–termedasWidehouseCorruptionScandal – is being run by local criminals who operate as management committee (MC)membersof housingsocieties.
The MC members collude with crooked politicians, corrupt bureaucrats, complicit police officials,dishonestmembersofjudiciary,andbuildersʼmafiatocarryoutFARconstruction.
“A er the criminal enterprise of Nazi Germany during the Holocaust for the genocide of millions of European Jews, the Widehouse Corruption Scandal is believed to be thelargest
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 13of24
organizedmassacrenotonlyinIndiabutalsointheworld,”saidRakeshRaman,founder,RMN Foundation.
Inthiscriminalattack,millionsofpeoplearevictimsofasinglecrimewhichisbeingbrazenly supported by the Indian government to harm its own citizens. If not stopped, the harmful constructionwillcontinueinDelhiformanyyears–evenuntil2030
SeniorcitizensinagrouphousingsocietyofDwarkainNewDelhiurgethegovernmenttosavethem fromdustpollution,noisepollution,andairpollutionofextendedFARconstructionactivity.
PhotoandCampaignbyRakeshRaman/RMNFoundation
This scandal has been giventhenameWidehouse,becauseitisbeingrununderthegarbof widening the occupied houses where men, women (including senior citizens), andchildren are living. The expansion of existinghousesisbeingimposedonresidentstoextortmassive moneyfromthem.
Althoughanumberofdepartmentsandofficialsareinvolvedinthisscandal,thecriminalMC members mainly collude with the corrupt officials of Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Registrar Cooperative Societies (RCS) office of Delhi Government, Delhi Fire Service (DFS), CentralPollutionControlBoard(CPCB),DelhiPollutionControlCommittee(DPCC),andDelhi Police.RMNFoundationurgesthelaw-enforcementagenciesinIndiaandabroadtointervene and get this genocidal crime stopped so that people of Delhi could live in a clean environment.
[YoucanclickheretowatcharelatedvideoonRMNYouTubeChannel.]
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 14of24
Research Project on Corruption in India Launched for 2023
While India is already perceived to be one of the most corrupt countries in the world, bureaucratic and political corruption is still increasing dramatically in the country. However, there is no reliable information available on the extent of corruption. This research project - being carried out by the humanitarian organization RMN Foundation - aims to compile a comprehensive report - under the title India Corruption Research Report 2023 (ICRR 2023) - on diverse aspects of corruption in India.
The findings of the report will help the central as well as state governments in the country make actionable strategies to combat corruption. The report will also be equally useful for other stakeholders including businesses, political parties, and international organizations.
The report ICRR 2023 will be the second annual report which will be published by the RMN Foundation - which is the humanitarian initiative of RMN (Raman Media Network) News Service. The first report ICRR 2022 was released in October 2022.
[ You can click here to study the ICRR 2022 in ebook format. ]
The research project is being spearheaded by Rakesh Raman who is a national award-winning journalist and founder of RMN Foundation. People and organizations from all over the world are invited to join hands with RMN Foundation as donors, volunteers, and partners for the ICRR 2023 project and other humanitarian activities for diverse communities.
You can click here to know about the ICRR 2023 project and donation details.
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 15of24
ShortStoriesofCorruptionintheWorld
Liberiaʼs President George Weah has told parliament he would run for re-election this yeara erafirsttermmarredwithcorruptionallegationsandaneconomicdownturn.Weah took office in 2018 in the West African countryʼs first peaceful change of power in seven decadesandisconstitutionallyeligibletorunagainintheOctober10polls.ReadMore
The president of the European Parliament has warned that "European democracy is underattack",followingallegationsthatQatarbribedEUofficialstowininfluence.Roberta Metsola said that "open, free, democratic societies are under attack" Belgianpolicehave arrested four people, among themEuropeanParliamentVice-PresidentEvaKaili.Thefour have been charged withcorruptionandmoney-laundering.Qatarhasdeniedwrongdoing. ReadMore
Match-fixing charges against 10 Chinese snooker players in the biggest corruption scandal to engulf one of the worldʼs fastest-growing sports has le fans and organisers fearful for the future of the game. The players, including 2021 Masters champion Yan Bingtao and that yearʼs UK championship winner Zhao Xintong, have beensuspendedas part of an investigation into claims of “manipulating the outcome of matches for betting purposes”bytheintegrityunitattheWorldProfessionalBilliardsandSnookerAssociation (WPBSA).ReadMore
Ukraine has launched a fresh wave of anti-corruption raids on high-profile figures, including one of the country's richest men, Ihor Kolomoisky. Thehomeofformerinterior minister Arsen Avakov was also searched, as part of the apparent purge Ukraine has launchedananti-corruptiondriveandofficialssaidtheleadersofthecustomsservicehad beenfired.ReadMore
The political institutions of the European Union are in turmoil with a cash-for-favors corruptionscandalengulfingtheEuropeanParliamentwiththepotentialtospread.Former EuropeanParliamentVicePresidentEvaKailiisoneoffourpeopleindetention,chargedby Belgian prosecutors with "participation in a criminal organisation,moneylaunderingand corruption." She has already been booted out of her political parties and affiliations and strippedofhervicepresidency,accusedofacceptingbribesfromQatar.ReadMore
A former U.S. Navy captain who was caught up in a massive contracting scandal was sentencedonFebruary2to2-1/2yearsinfederalprisonfortakingnearly$91,000inbribes. Retired Capt. David Haas also was ordered to make restitution and topaya$30,000fine. ReadMore
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 16of24
Crime, Corruption, and Impunity in India
Politicians, bureaucrats, police, and judges have formed a criminal gang in India. The following cases depict how they collude with criminals and commit crimes and corruption with impunity while the ordinary citizens are suffering. Click the following links for details.
Cabinet Secretariat Case
Prime Minister Office (PMO) Case
Ministry of HomeAffairs (MHA) Case
Delhi Lokayukta Case
DoPTCase CBI Case
Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Case Supreme Court Case
Delhi Govt Case
Delhi Petitions Committee / CVC Case
NHRC Case School Education Case
Environmental Crime Case Lokpal Removal Case
Judicial Corruption Case
RCS Corruption Case
AAPCorruption Case Widehouse Scandal
NHRC Case at UN HRC
CPGRAMS Cases
IAS Group Corruption Case
PGMS Cases
IAS Corruption Record UNCAC Petition
Delhi Police Case DoPTProcesses
RCS RTI Violations
DDACorruption Case
Petitions and Representations by Rakesh Raman. Up to January 2023
Designation of Former President of Panama for Significant Corruption
The United States says it continues to stand with all Panamanians insupportofdemocracy andtheruleoflaw.
The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on January 25 the designation of former President of Panama Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Berrocal (“Martinelli”) for his
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 17of24
involvement insignificantcorruption.Specifically,Martinelliacceptedbribesinexchangefor improperly awarding government contracts during his tenure as the president.Thissection 7031(c)designationsrendersMartinelliandhisimmediatefamilymembersineligibleforentry intotheUnitedStates.
Blinken said in his statement that accepting bribes for government contracts undermines the integrity of Panamaʼs democratic institutions and fuels perceptions of corruption and impunity. Such acts ofpubliccorruption diminish confidence in governance and reduce resources available for schools, hospitals, roads, and other government services.
These designations reaffirm the commitment of the United States to combat corruption, which harms the public interest, hampers countriesʼ economic prosperity, and curtailstheabilityofgovernmentstorespond effectivelytotheneedsoftheirpeople.
The United States says it continues to stand with allPanamaniansinsupportofdemocracy and the rule of law,andwillcontinuetopromoteaccountabilityforthosewhoabusepublic powerforpersonalgain,regardlessoftheirpositionorpoliticalaffiliation.
Coding4Integrity: Tech Solutions to Tackle Corruption
The hackathon will be the third edition of the series and it will empower studentstoapply theiranti-corruptionandtechnologicalknowledgetodeveloptechsolutions.
TheUnitedNationsOfficeonDrugsandCrime(UNODC)islookingforthemosttalentedyoung coders and innovation enthusiasts and inspired students from Mexico to develop technology-based solutions to tackle corruption and advance peace, justice, and strong institutions.
UNODCʼsGlobalIntegrityEducationProjectandUNODCʼsGlobalResourceforAnti-Corruption Education and Youth Empowerment (GRACE) are joining forcestoorganizeaneweditionof theCoding4Integrityyouthanti-corruptionhackathonseriesinMexicoCity,Mexico.
The hackathon will be the third edition of the series and it willempowerstudentstoapply their anti-corruption and technological knowledge to develop tech solutions that promote
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 18of24
transparency,ethicsandintegrityamongthedifferentstagesandactorsofthehealthsystem inMexico.
The hackathon is a hybrideventconsistingofafive-dayonlineBootcamp,heldfrom6to10 March 2023, where participants will receive training on relevant topics. It also includes a two-day in-person coding challengethatwilltakeplaceinMexicoCity,Mexico,on25and26 March2023.Thevenueofthein-personcompetitionwillbecommunicatedtoparticipantsin advance.ABootcampisanimmersiontraining,withthepurposeofimprovingskillsessential totheparticipationintheHackathon Suchactivitycanincludeshorttrainingmodulesrelated to, for example: programming, marketing and communication, theories of corruption and integrity,amongothers.
The winning team will have the opportunity to further develop the proposed technology solutionwiththesupportofthepartnersofthehackathonseekingtoincreasetheuseofICT solutionsaspartoftheiranti-corruptionefforts.
Sanctions Don’t Stop Crime and Corruption
The imposition of sanctions is a weak punishment, which is ignored by the authoritarian and corrupt nations. In the past, countries such as Belarus, Cuba, China, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Russia, and North Korea have been sanctioned, but authoritarianism, corruption, and human rights violations have only increased in these countries. ~ Rakesh
Raman
Photo:UNODC
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 19of24
Trade-Based Money Laundering: A Global Challenge
ThestudyanalyzesthenumerouschallengesofTBMLfromaglobalpolicyperspective
A new publication analyzing the scope and characteristics of global trade-based money laundering(TBML)findsthatthisillicitactivityposescomplexproblemsforlawenforcement whilealsounderminingglobaldevelopment.
While various estimates put TBML activity in the hundreds of billions, or even trillions of dollars annually, “a comprehensive mapping of known TBML [court] cases worldwide from 2011 to 2021”identifiedjustUS$60billioninmoneylaundering,according tothepaper
Highlightingthedevelopmentimpact,thestudynotedthat“when TBML goes unchecked, it has adverse effects on economies and societies as it perpetuates criminal activities, corruption, and tax evasion.”
The paper, Trade-Based Money Laundering: A Global Challenge, was co-authored by Global Financial Integrity (GFI), Fedesarrollo, Transparency International Kenya and Advocates CoalitionforDevelopmentandEnvironment(ACODE)anddrawsonthetechnicalandregional expertise of each of the organizations – based in the United States, Colombia, Kenya and Uganda, respectively. The study analyzes the numerous challenges of TBML from a global policyperspective
The publication describes TBML as “disguising the proceeds of crime [by] moving value through the use of (legitimate)tradetransactions”Thereportprovidesanin-depthanalysis ofthemostcommonTBMLmethodologies,whichincludeover-andunder-invoicingofgoods; misrepresentation of goods being shipped; multiple invoicing of goods; over- and under-shipment or phantom shipments; the black market peso exchange; and the use of informal value transfer systems. Mis-invoicing was the most common methodology, representing63percentofcases.
To better understand the scope and characteristics of TBML, the research team presents a comprehensive mapping of TBML cases worldwide during a 10-year period in which cases were identified usingofficial,publiclyavailablesources.Some77countrieswereaffectedby this activity. The United States, Mexico, Colombia, China and Hong Kong were among the most-affected nations. In terms oftheunderlyingcriminalactivitythatgeneratedlaundered proceeds(i.ethepredicateoffenses),themostcommonincludeddrugtrafficking(43percent
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 21of24
ofallpredicateoffensesmentioned),taxevasion/taxfraud(18percent),otherfraudorscams (7percent)andcorruption(6percent).
The report found that almost any type of merchandise can be purchased to launder illicit proceedsusedinTBMLschemes.Themostcommonincludedcars/transportationvehicles(24 percent of all types of products mentioned), metals and minerals (17 percent), agricultural products(13percent),andtextiles(11percent).
The report concludes with an analysis of current policyeffortsaswellasrecommendations forwaystobolsterthefightagainstTBMLgoingforward.
This publication was produced as partofCapacityBuildingtoAddressIllicitFinancialFlows and Boost Domestic Resource Mobilization, a project implemented by Global Financial Integrity in partnership with leading civil society organizations in Kenya, Uganda and ColombiaandwiththesupportoftheGovernmentofNorway.
DownloadAllIssuesofTheIntegrityBulletin October2018 November2018 December2018 January2019 February2019 March2019 April2019 May2019 June2019 July2019 August2019 September2019 October2019 November2019 December2019 January2020 February2020 March2020 April2020 August2020 September2020 October2020 November2020 December2020 January2021 February2021 March2021 April2021 May2021 June2021 July2021 August2021 September2021 October2021 November2021 December2021 January2022 February2022 March2022 April2022 May2022 June2022 July2022 August2022 September2022 ICRR2022 November2022 December2022 January2023 TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 22of24
About the Editor
The editor of The Integrity Bulletin news magazine Rakesh Ramanisanational award-winning journalist and founder of the humanitarian organization RMN Foundation. Besides working at senior editorial positions with leading media companies, he was writing an exclusive edit-page column regularly for The FinancialExpress(adailybusinessnewspaperofTheIndianExpressGroup)
Nowadays, for the past 12 years, he has been running his own global news services on multiple news sites He runs various environment protection, education awareness, and anti-corruptioncampaigns,andpublishesdigitalmagazinesandresearchreportsondifferent subjects.
Earlier, he had been associated with the United Nations (UN) through the United Nations IndustrialDevelopmentOrganization(UNIDO)asadigitalmediaexperttohelpbusinessesuse technologyforbrandmarketingandbusinessdevelopment.
Atpresent,RakeshisassociatedwiththeVarietiesofDemocracy(V-Dem)ProjectasaCountry ExpertforIndiatoprovideexpertresearchinputsonmultipletopicspertainingtodemocracy and governance. The V-Dem Project is managed by V-Dem Institute under the University of Gothenburg,Sweden.Currently,heisalsoworkingasaneditorforWikipedia,whichisafree onlineglobalencyclopedia.
Donate: You can click here to donate to RMN News Service.
In order to inform the Indian citizens and the global community about the extent of corruption in India, he compiled and released in October 2022 a comprehensive report on corruption in the country. Under the title “India Corruption Research Report 2022 (ICRR 2022),”theresearchreportcoversdiverseaspectsofcorruptioninIndia
He has launched a nationwide campaign to introduce social democracy inIndiainorderto build an egalitarian society in which all citizens could enjoy equal rights, opportunities, freedoms,andaccesstojustice.Heisrunninganeditorialsection/microsite“PowerPlay:Lok SabhaElection2024inIndia”tocovertheelectionnews,events,andpoliticalcampaigns.He is also running a nationwide campaign to save school students of India from directionless educationsothatstudentscouldacquiremodernskillsthatcanhelptheminthejobmarket.
He runs a community-driven anti-corruption social service “Clean House” to help the residents of Delhi raise their voice against the growing corruption and injustice in housing societieswheremillionsofpeoplesufferbecauseoframpantcorruptionandlawlessness.He
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 23of24
hasalsoformedanenvironmentprotectiongroupcalledGreenGroupinNewDelhi,whichis themostpollutednationalcapitalintheworld.
As Rakesh has been facing constant threats including death threats for his editorial and anti-corruption work, the Paris-based international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF)thatdefendsfreedomofjournalistshasurgedtheIndiangovernmenttosavehimfrom threatsandpersecution.Youcanclickheretoreadhisfullprofile.
AboutTheIntegrityBulletinProject
The Integrity Bulletin content project is being managed by RMN Foundation, which is the humanitarian initiative of RMN News Service The Integrity Bulletin news magazine is being circulated among the top UN agencies, global anti-corruption organizations, international law-enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, lawmakers, social activists, politicians,and othersinIndiaandabroad
As the founder of RMN Foundation and editor of RMN News Service, I am managing this project independentlywithoutanyfinancialorothersupport RMNNewsServiceislookingforcollaborators across the world who can join handswithittocarryoutmajorcampaignsandprojectstoengage withdifferentstakeholdersintheanti-corruptiondomain
Contact RakeshRaman Founder
RMNFoundation
463,DPSApts.,PlotNo.16,Sector4,Dwarka,PhaseI,NewDelhi110078,INDIA Call:9810319059
Contactbyemail
TheIntegrityBulletinonGlobalCorruptionNewsandViews February2023 Page: 24of24
