DD leads cast in cop drama

AHMEDABAD, Feb 2: Controversy seems to follow the Gujarat police around. No sooner has it decided to refurbish its public image -- which ...

AHMEDABAD, Feb 2: Controversy seems to follow the Gujarat police around. No sooner has it decided to refurbish its public image 8212; which had taken a battering following the recent attacks on minorities 8212; with a TV serial on its achievements, than a media official selected for the job is found to be under a cloud.

The tie-up with the Ahmedabad Doordarshan Kendra came in the wake of the severe drubbing the police received in the tribal-dominated Dangs, where, officials say, incidents between December 25, 1998 and January 1, 1999 doubled the total number of crime cases registered in the past five years. Though not all the cases are serious, they highlighted the need for an image makeover for the police.

Ironically, however, the producer chosen to execute the job has a CBI case pending against him. CBI officers in Gandhinagar say Vagheshwari was recently charged before a special court with issuing cheques in the name of a non-existent person as payment for garba dances telecast during Navratri in 1992.

Critics in the state administration say the selection of Vagheshwari, one of seven DD officials facing CBI investigation for alleged embezzlement of government funds, will rub salt into the BJP8217;s wounds and raise questions about the serial8217;s objective and the police role.

The selection of the programme8217;s producer was finalised at a meeting between Director-General of Police C P Singh and DD director Satish Saxena. In an official notification dated January 19, Singh ordered all officers and department heads in the State to help Vagheshwari in his bid to promote the 8220;effective working and achievements of the Gujarat police8221;.

While officials in the police headquarters claim that Singh was unaware of the charges against Vagheshwari while issuing the order, the DGP himself told Express Newsline on Tuesday that the choice was wrong. 8220;I spoke to Saxena about the serial. But now I8217;ve directed the nodal officer to write to the Home department, saying the producer is not the right person to execute the assignment8221;.

When contacted, Vagheshwari admits that there are charges pending against him. 8220;But seven people from DD Ahmedabad, including an assistant director, are involved. And I did only what my bosses told me to do. What is important is that I haven8217;t been found guilty or been punished8221;.

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Few, however, are buying the argument. Already, say sources, a section of DD employees are speculating that this latest assignment will help Vagheshwari off the hook.

Answering such allegations 8212; which he attributes to professional jealousy 8212; Vagheshwari says that he had already made serials on prisoners and the Central Jail.

DD station director Satish Saxena, however, pleads innocent of any role in the affair. He told Express Newsline, 8220;I am not aware of any inquiry against Vagheshwari as I took charge recently8221;.