Indian official flees after stealing aid money

[dArKeR]

Aa Indian government official, hailed by Time magazine as a flood disaster hero, has disappeared after he was accused of stealing millions of dollars in aid money.

Police have launched a nationwide hunt for Gautam Goswami, who became a national celebrity when the US magazine commended his "brilliant" co-ordination of rescue and relief work in the northeastern Bihar state, where floods last July claimed 800 lives and left millions homeless.

"Goswami's reputation for upholding the law improves the image of a civil service perceived by many Indians as corrupt or inefficient," Time wrote.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2005/06/06/2003258172