MEERUT: Rinkoo Rahee's resolve to fight corruption is the "stuff of legend", those who know him say. A 2007-batch provincial civil service (PCS) officer, he incurred the wrath of the powerful mafia behind a Rs 100 crore scholarship scam that he unearthed when he was just 26. In March 2009, seven bullets were pumped into him.
Three hit his face, leaving him disfigured, blind in one eye, and with impaired hearing in an ear. That's when he decided to strengthen his own hands and crack the UPSC exam. He finally has, securing 683rd rank. UPSC has an age relaxation for some special categories of candidates which helped Rahee. He was deputed as social welfare officer in Muzaffarnagar in 2008 when he busted the massive racket. Eight men were booked for the attack on him that followed, out of which four were sentenced to 10 years in prison. "During the course of my ordeal, I was not fighting the system. The system was fighting me. I was in hospital for four months but my medical leave is 'pending' for approval till date," said Rahee, who is now 40.
