The ACC on May 6, 2023 approved the empanelment of Sandeep Silas in HAG for 2016-17 Panel on notional basis, almost three years after his superannuation and almost eight years after he was implicated in the “Rail Neer” case in 2015 that finally proved a false case.

It is a travesty of justice what the then Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu’s office did to Silas in an illegal, wrong and motivated case. IndianMandarins had brought out the fact that despite the Railway Board Vigilance and Central Vigilance Commission reports in 2016 clearly stating that “no case is made out”, and “not even fit for minor penalty”, the then Railway Minister went ahead and issued a prosecution sanction against Silas. When that was quashed by Delhi High Court on March 15, 2019, the next Railway Minister’s office ignoring the High Court Judgement re-issued the prosecution sanction. 

Misusing CBI and ED, Silas was arrested faultily by Sanjeev Gautam, an IRS C&IT, who was responsible for harassing the Bansal family so much so that all four committed suicides. Silas was sent to CBI Custody and then Judicial Custody. He served as CCM (Catering) Northern Railway just for two months that too on leave vacancy. 

The Appointment Committee of Cabinet (ACC) headed by Prime Minister in its wisdom has finally dispersed all doubts about Sandeep Silas by restoring his seniority. But there are many unanswered questions: (01) How civil servants who served the previous regime have been treated for their outstanding work? Silas was the Private Secretary to Mallikarjun Kharge during his tenure as Labour & Employment Minister. (02) Why Balance Sheet of IRCTC was not seen by the investigating agencies as during the period it reported profit and NIL stock on hand. Apparently, it was supplying all “Rail Neer” bottles that were provided to Rajdhani Express, Shatabdi, station vendors at important stations and Superfast trains. (03) How can 100% “Rail Neer” bottles be supplied to Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains when they are not produced equivalent to the entire demand?  (04) Sandeep Silas and M S Chalia, the previous incumbent, allegedly caused loss to IRCTC and thereby to the Government by not supplying 100% “Rail Neer” in collusion with contractors.  Can anyone supply something that is not produced? Can the loss be incurred on non-supply of an item that is not produced? The Bottler is IRCTC, the contractor to supply “Rail Neer” to train stations was of IRCTC, then how Silas and Chalia were raided by CBI and arrested? (05) What was the role of then MD, IRCTC A K Manocha and his sister-in-law Mani Anand, then ED (Tourism & Catering) Railway Board. Why did the duo not say that no loss had occurred? How were they benefited by implicating Silas? (06) Why was the Vigilance clearance of the Railway Board Vigilance Directorate ignored by the Railway Minister? (07) Why was the CVC clearance ignored by the Railway Minister? These were institutional clearances, which were not considered and Prosecution Sanction granted. (08) Why was the Judgement of Delhi High Court quashing Prosecution Sanction on March 15, 2019, was ignored and Prosecution Sanction re-issued? (09) What was the role of the then CRB A K Mittal who called Silas in his chamber and assured him that CVC was the Superintending Authority of CBI and it had written in its advice that “no case made out”, so everything will be restored to him. Mittal took two years’ extension as CRB on the strength of wrongly implicating Silas and Chalia. (10) What was the role of the then ED to Chairman Railway Board (CRB) and junior to Sandeep Silas in IRTS. In power corridors it is whispered that the then Secretary Railway Board the file in an endless loop so that it could not conclude and Silas retired in the present position only. The advantage was of the aforementioned ED, CRB who got the posts which could have been occupied by Sandeep Silas as his senior. He was alleged to have even hidden the file for the last six months so that Silas retires ignominiously. (11) Why was the advice of the then Law & Justice Secretary asking the Railways to implement the High Court Delhi Judgement in letter and spirit, ignored by the Railway Board and two Railway Ministers? (12) Why was this HAG regularization and seniority fixation proposal only sent to DOP “T” after Silas took recourse to CPGRAMS portal of PMO, seeking justice and not in regular course? Here also Railways dragged the CPGRAM advice for almost two years before drafting a proposal? How will the Government compensate for the loss of career, reputation, relations, mental trauma, agony and harassment caused to Silas? Will the Government hold all those accountable for destroying Silas and punish them after due enquiry into their roles?