During Rajiv Gandhi’s regime in 1980s, Delhi police commissioner Ved Marwah had a “security breach” as his car had reportedly intruded in the route of the visiting Russian Prime Minister. Then home minister Buta Singh almost made up his mind to suspend the senior cop, but it was one influential IAS who persuaded Singh not to punish Marwah. He was CG Somaiah who began his career as an assistant collector in Orissa only to rise up the ladder to become Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

CG Somaiah is no more. Somaiah died in Bangalore  on Monday following brief illness. Somaiah, 79, is survived by wife Indira, and one son and a daughter. Incidentally, his daughter Pria (In picture with her father) is married to Nikhil Alva, son of Congress leader and Uttarakhand Governor Margaret Alva.

As the home secretary of the country during Buta Singh’s regime, Somaiah played a key role not only in fighting Punjab terror, but was instrumental in clinching a deal with student leaders from Assam who were agitating against illegal Bangladeshi migrants. He also served as Central Vigilance Commissioner and had a six-year-long tenure as Comptroller and Auditor General of India

Only two months ago, Somaiah’s book titled, “The Honest Always Stand Alone”, was released in New Delhi  by former president APJ Abdul Kalam.

STANDING TALL Former President APJ Abdul Kalam releasing C.G.Somaiah’s “The Honest Always Stand Alone” / pix credit: The Hindu (July 21, 2010)

source: http://www.babusofindia.com / Babus of India / Home / posted by BOI Team / September 15th, 2010