Three persons, including a former Deputy Registrar of Trade Marks Registry, were recently convicted by the CBI Court in a corruption case. The Anti Corruption Branch of CBI had registered a case in 2011 against ND Kasturi, the then Deputy Registrar, Trade Marks Registry, Chennai, for allegedly accepting illegal gratification. [For Indiatoday report, see here.]
We had earlier covered her arrest in 2011 here and here. For the benefit of readers, I am reproducing excerpts:
“……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….Mrs. Kasturi was arrested for possessing assets which were allegedly disproportionate to her known sources of income. She was later remanded to judicial custody. The day-long searches were said to have resulted in the seizures of Rs 33 lakhs in cash, fixed deposits worth Rs 85 lakh and gold ornaments weighing about 3.8 kg!! The accused was also found to be in possession of immovable properties in Chennai, Mumbai and Ahmedabad……
According to another Times of India report, CBI had kept her in watch for six months before arresting her. The tip off came from an applicant who was asked to pay bribe for speedy disposal of an application for Geographical Indication. As per the report, other officials are also being probed.”
SpicyIP on transparency
We stand for a transparent IP regime in India. Prof. Shamnad Basheer led team has been working incessantly on various issues concerning the intransigent, opaque IP regime in India including the one concerning the Patents Act and RTI Act. As Prof. Shamnad Basheer noted here, “an increase in transparency is a boon to all IP stakeholders. To IP users, it means lower costs, more informed decision-making and greater accountability from attorneys. To IP attorneys, it translates to a rise in meritocracy and an ability to serve clients without placating government officials. To the public at large, it means a more accountable government agency and a healthier democracy.
The battle for transparency has been a long, but fulfilling one. Its success owes in large part to the active partnership of a vibrant media, courageous attorneys, well informed IP users, fiercely honest government officials and a progressive judiciary. One can only hope that this partnership is leveraged in the days to come to address the various other challenges plaguing the Indian IP system.”
In his latest interview to MIP, he noted that “…..improved transparency meant that attorneys could no longer take clients for a ride. Since all information about the case including its progress and whether or not it was being delayed at the behest of the attorney was now ready available to clients.” [For more on the larger objectives and latest initiatives of SpicyIP, see the latest interview given by Prof. Shamnad to MIP]