By Dayanand Kamath

Colaba resident Ashok Patel, 50, is a crusader against corruption, much in
the mould of Anna Hazare. To the small businessmen in Nariman Point, Fort
and Colaba, Patel, president of the Fort Merchants' Association, has always
been in the forefront to bring the corrupt to book.

The association, which represents the interests of 425 shopkeepers and
traders, has found a champion in the Gujarat native, who has helped the Anti
Corruption Bureau (ACB) trap 32 corrupt officials.

Patel says he has successfully "trapped" officers in bribery cases from the
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, State Excise Department, registration
office, fire brigade, sales tax, weights & measurements, BEST, traffic
department, income tax and sub-inspectors of the Railway Protection Force.

Patel has received two appreciation certificates from SS Ambedkar, former
additional director general of police, and SS Dhat, deputy inspector general
of State ACB in 2002.

URL: http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1034708