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New Delhi: Kiran Bedi,
a key Team Anna member, should stay away from public life till an
inquiry clears her of allegations that she charged inflated travel
expenses from institutions that invited her for seminars or
meetings, social activist Swami Agnivesh said Thursday.
"Bedi is a former police officer and has to set some standards on
conduct and probity," Agnivesh, who was ousted from Team Anna in
August for his proximity to the government, told IANS here.
"I hope she herself will submit to a inquiry by the Central Bureau
of Investigation (CBI) or other agencies," he added.
Saying that "legality was one issue, but conduct was a more
important issue", Agnivesh said: "Till such an inquiry is
completed, she should stay away from public life and stop giving
lectures against corruption."
By manipulating income tax accounts, Bedi has diverted public
funds to accounts under her individual control, he alleged.
Bedi has told reporters that organisations that invited her
"voluntarily" paid her for business class tickets but she
travelled economy and the money saved went to her NGO India Vision
Foundation.
Referring to a report in the Indian Express, Bedi told reporters:
"The organisations voluntarily pay me for business class tickets
but I duly inform them and save money for travels which are for
good causes but cannot provide remuneration... there is no
personal gain."
The daily also claimed to be in possession of bills, invoices and
copies of cheques which show that Bedi, who is entitled to a
rebate on Air India tickets as a gallantry award winner, pays
discounted fares but charges her host institutions the full fare.
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