KAS officer K. Mathai, who unearthed the alleged advertisement mafia that caused losses of Rs. 2,000 crore to the exchequer, was transferred out of Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Tuesday.
He has been sent back to the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, his parent department, as his behaviour and actions were contrary to service rules. The order follows a show cause notice issued by the BBMP Commissioner on April 13 and subsequent report by Commissioner Kumar G. Naik.
Mr. Mathai, who was serving as Deputy Commissioner (Markets), was the Assistant Commissioner (Advertisements) when he submitted eight reports highlighting the alleged scam and loss of revenue to the civic body.
The complaint from the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike seeking his transfer says, “Mr. Mathai was not directed by either the Council or by the commissioner to conduct any inquiry into the advertising issue. He went ahead by himself and issued reports directly to newspapers and television.
He was warned several times, but did not heed any of the official warnings. His conduct is not befitting an officer under the service rules.”
What came under severe criticism was that he submitted the eighth report even after he was promoted that resulted in him vacating the post of Assistant Commissioner (Advertisements).
Mr. Mathai began making enquiries into the advertisement mafia in March 2015.
He quickly submitted reports stating that the civic body had lost close to Rs. 2,000 crores in advertising revenue over eight years.
One report said that Shantalanagar ward is collecting only Rs. 15 lakhs when it could collect around Rs. three crores.
Subsequently, he was tasked with meeting the target. His team installed CCTVs, took note of hoardings, traced the owners and collected tax.
Some people threatened him in November after which he sought police protection and CCTV cameras in his office.
On his transfer, Mr. Mathai said, “I am ready for anything, I was expecting this sort of thing. In fact, I was thinking that I might be asked to take voluntary retirement or thrown out of service.”
He is yet to get a formal letter. He learnt of his impending transfer from some television reporters who had called him up.
TIMELINE
In 2014, Mathai takes charge as Assistant Commissioner (Advertisements)
In March 2015, BBMP council passed a resolution to transfer him out of the agency
Upalokayukta intervenes, transfer is stalled
April 2015, Mathai writes to Lokayukta stating that his salary has not been paid for four months
In July 2015, Mathai is given additional charge of markets, told not to give reports
Threatened by goons in his office
Seeks police protection and CCTV cameras in office
