by Rajinder Puri
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Finance minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee does not utter lies. He speaks half truths. Regarding black money stashed in foreign banks, he told the media that secrecy had to be maintained in accordance with the provisions of the Double Taxation Treaty signed by the Indian government with 23 other countries. Mr Mukherjee told media: “Let us understand the issue. No information can be made available unless there is a legal framework.” What he did not say was that much of the money parked in foreign banks was not related to tax evasion but to crime.
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There can be no adequate legal framework unless the government launches criminal prosecution against the offenders. In fact the government does not want information from foreign governments. Foreign governments offer information that the Indian government refuses to accept. The German list of 26 names of account holders in Lichtenstein is much talked about. The finance ministry has provided that list to the Supreme Court (SC). Can Mr Mukherjee confirm under oath that there are not 18 other names on that list that have been withheld from the SC? Can he FM deny that the German authorities are willing to furnish four other lists of account holders in banks outside Lichtenstein which the Indian government has refrained from accepting?
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The most glaring case of the government’s cover up of criminal money stashed abroad relates of course to Pune-based stud farm owner Hassan Ali Khan. Three years have passed since the discovery of his astronomical cache illegally stashed in foreign banks. In January 2007, raids by the income tax department revealed he had US$ 8 billion deposited in just one account in the UBS AG bank, Zurich. He has several other foreign accounts. He had not filed income-tax returns since 1999. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) started probing him for suspected money laundering. After three years, Mr Mukherjee told the media last Tuesday that investigations were still continuing.
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Meanwhile Hassan Ali walks a free man. Meanwhile, Mr Mukherjee disclosed that the US$ 8 billion had been diverted from the Zurich bank to an unknown destination. Regarding information about black money Mr Mukherjee told the media: “As and when the income tax Authorities will be in a position to prosecute cases against tax evaders, you will come to know”. Hassan Ali is not a tax evader. His money in foreign banks comes from crime. Credible foreign banking sources have disclosed that in collusion with Saudi arms dealer Adnan Kashogi, some of Ali’s money came from gun running. Did Hassan Ali amass billions of US dollars that attract tax to the tune of Rs 70,000 crore in India from selling horses? If nothing else, could not the government have immediately slapped a disproportionate assets case in addition to money laundering and launched a criminal prosecution against him?
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The government did no such thing. Why not? Very simply, and bluntly, because the Congress party is most likely involved with Hassan Ali and has used his kind services to park its funds illegally abroad. That is why Mr Mukherjee must defend Hassan Ali. This is a serious charge but the circumstantial evidence to justify it is overwhelming. Readers might recall that on 3 May, 2010 it was pointed out in these columns that Hassan Ali held a secret meeting with Congress politicians including the political secretary to the Congress president. This was pointed out in the Maharashtra Assembly by the Opposition and subsequently confirmed after investigation by the state police.
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The question was posed: “During his interaction with Hassan Ali was (Congress political secretary) Ahmed Patel representing himself or his boss, (Congress president) Sonia Gandhi? If he was representing himself why has Sonia Gandhi not sacked him? If he was representing the Congress president how does Sonia Gandhi explain her party’s links with the nation’s biggest money launderer who is being protected by the finance minister?”
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There was no response in word or deed to the question raised. It is fair to infer therefore that Mr Ahmed Patel was not acting singularly but representing his boss, Mrs Sonia Gandhi. What other conclusion can one draw but that the Congress is guilty and the government is doing everything to protect its partner in crime, Hassan Ali?
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Today the Congress presents a strange picture. It reminds one of a sinking ship in which the captain, the first mate and the second mate all hate each other. However because the ship is sinking, fear binds them all. Let Mr Pranab Mukherjee know. All the half truths, the obfuscation and the bluster will not prevent the Congress ship from sinking. Its day is done. Smart Congress leaders should learn from rats. They should desert the ship before they sink with it.
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The writer is a veteran journalist and cartoonist
Sent by: "Maj Gen Pushpendra Singh"
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From The Statesman http://www.thestatesman.net/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=357016&catid=39
what about big whale fishes,even their names surfaced,but how money will be back to india, I am sure not a single paisa will be here....until some sort of revolution takes place....congress is deaf n dumb...hang them thats it.....
ReplyDeleteBalram Bhargava
I have to agree with you. Not a Paisa will be recovered....... such is the fate of this country.
ReplyDeleteShamsher Hans
What twisty..... turney..... good for nothing language is that??..... I for one see it simply that text evasion is illegal and anything illegal is crime, crime stay crime no matter what - If robbing someone of money is crime, so is robbing govt, even if by not paying tax's!!...... what school did they go to, if at all they went to one...... LOL
ReplyDeleteBharat Tyagi
Sonia Gandhi has the answers to all the questions raised in this article. She has surrounded herself with all these crooks to protect herself and her no good offspring. The last loose end she tried to tie up was the appointment of Thomas as Vigilance chief. Everytime, I think of these rascals I am reminded of the millions of Indians who live in poverty and hopelessness. Will there ever be justice ?
ReplyDeleteShamsher Hans
The family which denied even basic democratic rights, by imposing emergency on name of saving democracy...... encouraged almost every communal right between Hindu and Muslims..... Got hard working Sikh killed all over Delhi - to show that they are sad over demise of Indira...... have billions $'s of national property stashed away in swiss account!!...... how reasonable is it to expect a movement to get money back to country!!..... Get real People!!
ReplyDeleteBharat Tyagi
Bharat T . Yes it is the Sonia Family that has the largest share of the loot stashed away in Swiss and other foreign banks. Fake Singh and Dada P are not going to do anything about it...
ReplyDeleteShamsher Hans
Its high time Indians realize what true democracy is...... Frankly we never had democracy, its been a true samantvad thats been running the country........ where Gandhi Nehru family has become a new family who has been ruling for generations, remember indira coined the term "Social Democratic set up"..... all to fool voters!!
ReplyDeleteBharat Tyagi
Dear Bharat Tyagi,
ReplyDeleteShould we not, insist on putting all ministers / bureaucrats / officials facing corruption charges and now all those plunderers/robbers whose names have been revealed, behind bars immediately and also confiscate their entire wealth and properties and put them to appropriate uses by the respective Governments without any delay. The present government will never enact death sentence for such enemies of India, though, they desrve nothing less.
LK Anand
Sure we must sir, However we will need to do it legal way....... for if we start going with "tit for tat" way - "tit will be covered by tat" even before we realize it....... today we have example of people doing same thing and because of them we are where we are!!
ReplyDeleteBharat Tyagi
Lalit K A. Good to see you here buddy. Long time no see since NDA, Khadakvasla days. I like your NDA cap(profile Pics). I wish more of our collegues would join the debate on such issues. Becoming aware and making noise, seem to be the only course of action available to those of us who stiill care for the country. By the way, I have many great memories connected with Indore, from my posting at Infantry School, Mhow .( 1968-70).Take Care.
ReplyDeleteShamsher Hans @
Bharat T. I agree with you in the sense that we first have to get to a stage where justice can be meted out to the high profile thugs and traitors. I agree with Lalit for the kind of justice these human hyenas deserve. I wonder if there... is a way of creating a movement in support of Swami Subramanian's efforts in the Supreme court of India. He is already there for putting these scoundrels behind the bars, if not dangling from the noose.
ReplyDeleteHow about a letter writing campaign or a petition to the President of India? Is it too far fetched to get 100,000 letters or a petition with 1 million signatures?
Shamsher Hans
Not at all, the boll which Mr Subramanayam and Swami Ramdev got moving is having a big snow-ball effect now....... But, same was the fate of movement started by JP during emergency, what we have to do is to make sure that this doesn't end up with fate identical to JP's movement.
ReplyDeleteBharat Tyagi
Bharat // with fate identical to JP's movement//..... Will need to read up on JP' movement as I had already left for foreign lands and my ties with India were for all practical purposes severed. Any notions about letter writing campaign and/or a petition ?
ReplyDeleteShamsher Hans
Bharat, Is there still a scope for following the legal route? Is our Government or bureaucracy following it? You are aware of the delays caused by the judicial process in India. Everyone knows the fate, to which the Indian Judiciary is being confined lately. Considering that wherever, the state machinery fails to perform, due to grossly mismanaged affairs in every field of activity, by its totally unaccountable and irresponsible bureaucracy, who have not only been misguiding the politicians, but also the entire Nation by their misdeeds and corrupt practices, it is the Army which invariably comes to the rescue of the Nation. It seems that this time also, it has to play a more than a major role to play, perhaps in combination with and advice of the really patriotic and enlightened citizens of India (may be the likes of Mr Subramanayam Swamy or Baba Ramdev and many more), to root out and reform the country’s politicians and the bureaucracy and to set up a rule of law, which has become a major casualty today. The law enforcement agencies, also not being autonomous, are working at the beck and call of these anti national rogues and criminals. The authority of the Apex court has also become questionable under this ruling government. The President cum Supreme Commander of India is also a pawn in the hands of an extra constitutional authority. There is thus a certain degree of ruthlessness required now to fulfil such ambitions and aspirations of the Indian citizens. It has to be done if not today, may be tomorrow or may be a day after, but we cannot delay it indefinitely. All the best for "India of my Dreams". Please see blog www.indiamydreamland.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteLK Anand