Fly on the Wall : Baffling Disappearance of scammers

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Fly on the Wall : 

Baffling Disappearance of scammers

The Sterling Biotech bribery allegations case in the Rs 5000 crores scam in which the name of CBI's special director Rakesh Asthana figured took an interesting turn; that the Enforcement Directorate is yet to seek the custody of the Gujrat-based promoters Nitin Sandesara and Chetan Sandesara. The ED went to town when it arrested Delhi businessman Gagan Dhawan recently who was instrumental in helping the company to manage its affairs with Central government agencies and banks. But the ED did not seek their non-bailable warrants against the Gujrat-based promoters. In fact, the scam first surfaced in 2011 and neither the UPA and nor NDA did anything worthwhile in this case for six years. It gained prominence only when proposal to promote Rakesh Asthana within the CBI to make him number two was brought before the Central Vigilance Commission. The CBI director Alok Varma opposed Asthana's promotion and was overruled by the CVC and news was leaked along with the entire case. Now it transpires that the promoters of the Sterling Biotech have vanished and not available to ED. The other directors of the company are around but the promoter director Sandesaras have vanished. No doubt, the ED has caught hold of the company CA who used to write the diary after making payments to officials. He has confessed that he made the payments. But unless the promoters are arrested and confess the same, nothing can be done. The ED is keeping its fingers crossed as no one has a clue where have they vanished, are they in India or abroad like many others.

Kovind's GCTOC test

President Ram Nath Kovind will face his first acid test when the controversial Gujrat Control of Terrorism and Orgnaised Crime bill (GCTOC) will land on his table soon. The GCTOC has been hanging fire for the past 14 years as three of Kovind's predecessors; APJ Abdul Kalam, Pratibha Patil and Pranab Mukherjee refused to sign. The Bill empowers the police to tap phones and use it as evidence in courts. It was conceived by Modi when he was CM in 2003 and pushing for its passage since then. In fact, he was very hopeful that Pranab Mukherjee will clear it. But he too declined to clear it in its present form. Now certain provisions are being re-worked. The bill is on the pattern of Maharashtra's MOCOCA which gives enormous powers to the state police. As per norms, the Union Home Secretary has to be kept in the loop before tapping telephones. The Gujrat police wants immunity to the state for any wrong doing in public interest. The bill will be on Kovind's table after the Assembly polls.

"Bichhre Sabhi Bari Bari", Lalu crying

Ever since his most trusted lieutenant and four-term Rajya Sabha MP Prem Chand Gupta deserted Lalu Prasad Yadav, the RJD supremo is in great agony and pain. He has been calling Prem Gupta repeatedly on his mobile and home numbers and waiting to meet him for long. But the former Corporate Affairs Minister in the Manmohan Singh government has not returned the call. Lalu's two former trusted officers Mahajan and Srivastava have also chosen to keep a safe distance from the former Railway Minister. Lalu has seen his worst as nobody calls on him these days and he is left with no monies. He is tapping all his former corporate friends and nobody comes to him. They are either not taking his call or not returning call either. Both his sons, wife, daughter Misa Bharti, her husband and other close relatives are under the ED/CBI scanner. Their bank accounts have either been frozen and confiscated. It is becoming clear that after the Gujrat polls, they will face a big music. But what Lalu can't comprehend is that his most trusted person Gupta stopped visiting him. It is learnt that ever since Gupta's wife Sarla Gupta was slapped with a PMLA case, Gupta is trying hard to curry favours from the Modi government. He is repoted to have met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley twice. What transpired during these meetings is anybody's guess. Lalu cried when an old friend called him up and said, “bichhre sabhi bari bari."

Amit Katyal goes missing too !

Heard of Amit Katyal ! He was a small time businessman who came close to Lalu and became big and fixed deals when Lalu was CM Bihar or Railway Minister. The ED has unearthed now that the New Friends Colony bungalow in the posh South Delhi area was virtually gifted by Amit Katyal virtually free to Lalu's daughter Misa Bharti and other family members through web of shell companies. The bungalow is worth Rs 30 crores though ED claims its more than Rs 100 crores. The ED has sealed the property and now fixing nuts & bolts. But it has been caught in a jam. Why ? Amit Katyal is not traceable. He is reportedly run away to Dubai. Though evidence has surfaced when ED detained Bharti's Chartered Accountant (CA) Rakesh Agrawal who started singing. Agrawal was arrested under PMLA for allegedly being instrumental in providing accommodation entries (illegal funds) to launder the money of businessmen brothers - Virendra Jain and Surendra Jain. But the prime person Amit Katyal has gone missing.

Lalu goes to astrologers

Lalu is now completely banking on his star for his fortunes. He has turned to the astrologers and godmen completely. Though he used to believe in astrology and star power. But he remained a die-hard political bird. However, his dependence on astrologers has gone up many folds with the appointment of Shankar Charan Tripathi, an astrologer, as party's national spokesperson.

Fly on the wall : No Taj Mahal memento by the President

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

No Taj Mahal memento by the President

Why blame the UP Government or BJP hardliners for discarding Taj Mahal as the 7th wonder of the world and erase it from booklet meant for tourists. Long before this was done, the Rashtrapati Bhawan had discontinued the practice of giving Taj Mahal's replica as memento to visiting dignitaries. Gone are the days when Taj Mahal used to be given as precious gift to VIP visitors. But one must remember, this has not been done by Shri Ram Nath Kovind who was elected President with the support of the NDA in July this year. On the contrary, Ram Nath Kovind has proved to be a person of his firm beliefs. He recently said in Lucknow that if UP is known for Kumbh Mela, its also known for the Taj Mahal. This made some of the BJP leaders uneasy. The fact is that the practice of giving Taj Mahal replica was dispensed with by Kovind's predecessor Pranab Mukherjee. It transpires that Mukherjee chose to do away with the practice after suggestions emerged during informal discussions with the Modi dispensation. It was felt that the visiting dignitaries be offered books such as Gita or mementos reflecting the ancient civilization & culture of the country rather than of the Mughal era. Though no one from the government suggested to Mukherjee that he shouldn't give Taj Mahal replica as gift. The government was aware that Mukherjee is very sensitive to such issues and didn't say anything directly. However, Mukherjee was also aware of the sensitivities of the Modi government and keen to maintain cordial relations with it. Some say that he was hoping for second term and this step was aimed at keeping the NDA in good humour. Mukherjee stopped giving Taj replica as gift and Kovind has continued with the practice. Its a different matter that the Yogi Adityanath government in UP is now working hard to dispel the notion that its against the Taj. However, there is no dearth of those demanding that the old glory of Shiva temple be restored and Taj Mahal be buried in history.

Amit Shah batting for Hindutva

The Modi government may be completely focused on “Vikas” (development). But BJP president Amit Shah is clear in his thoughts and vision that the party cannot dump its Hindutva plank. He gave a clue to his thinking recently during an informal chat on Diwali Milan when he said, “I need my Hindutva, its my lifeline.” In fact, the BJP finds that the Congress is walking an extra mile to woo the community rather than focusing too much on the minorities. The fact that Rahul Gandhi is visiting temples and shrines regularly is an indication that the Congress is changing tack. “So why shall BJP abandon its time-tested policy?” wondered the leader. In fact, the UP government's recent order banning consumption of non-veg food in Vridavan and Barsana, birth places of Krishna and Radha, is an indication of BJP pursuing its policy stridently.

Its Modi VS Rahul in Gujrat

Its Modi VS Rahul battle in Gujrat now. No one cares who is the Congress face for the Chief Minister's post or whether Rupani will be stay as CM after the polls. For the first time in 40 months, its the first time that the polls are being fought between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi. If Modi is contemplating to address 50 rallies during eight days of campaigning, Rahul is not lagging behind either. He may not address five rallies a day like Modi. But he has earned some brawny points recently due to wit and sarcasm and has made a mark too. Irrespective of the outcome of the Gujrat Assembly polls, Rahul Gandhi has arrived on the scene as he is making right noises these days.

How Patel got Bharat Ratna !

How Sardar Patel was conferred Bharat Ratna ? There is an interesting tale. And no one including the BJP or erstwhile Jan Sangh can take credit for it. Of course, the Congress was never keen to confer the highest national award to the departed leader. It so happened that Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated in May 1991 in the midst of the General Elections in the country. T N Seshan who was the Chief Election Commissioner postponed the polls for some time and there was a pressure on the Chandra Shekhar government to confer Bharat Ratna on Rajiv Gandhi immediately. R Venkatraman was the President of India then and some discussions took place between them. It was agreed that Sardar Patel be also conferred Bharat Ratna. The BJP may be taking pot shot at Congress for ill treating its Iron Man.” But how the present dispensation treating its own “Lauh Purush” is for all to see. So why blame the Congress ?

Govt. to go soft in the Valley, for now

After telling the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to go soft in its operations in the trouble-torn Valley in J&K, the army has also been told avoid raiding civilian homes just on the basis of suspicion. “Unless there is specific intelligence information, unnecessary gun battles be avoided,” the Army was told. This has been done to facilitate the Special Representative of the Centre, Dineshwar Sharma, to undertake his peace mission in the state. Sharma has made a special request to the PMO that he would require calm in the Valley as he would like to initiate a dialogue with all the stake-holders. The NIA will not file the chargesheet against the Hurriyat leaders immediately giving some leeway to Geelani & company. There is already a talk to have are-look at the controversial AFSPA.

Astrologers chose Kovind's swearing-in Timing

by Harish Gupta, National Editor, Lokmat Group

Special report

Astrologers chose Kovind's swearing-in Timing

Harish Gupta

New Delhi, July 24

It is well known that astrologers play a key role in the lives of politicians. It is also too well known that prime ministers religiously follow the advice of astrologers when they chose timing of their swearing-in-ceremonies. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took full ten days before taking oath after winning the polls on May 16, 2014.

But Presidents do not have this luxury as the date of taking oath is sacrosanct, July 25 every five years. They need not take any such advice in such matters as everything is virtually pre-decided. The out-going Presidents retire on July 24 and the new President takes oath the next day at the Central Hall of Parliament. The swearing-in-ceremonies of Presidents in the past have been held in the forenoon only on July 25. 

It has been held between 10 am to 12 pm in the past during the past two decades. But President-elect Ram Nath Kovind has decided to take oath at 12.15 pm tomorrow.

Earlier, it was signaled that the swearing-in-ceremony will be held at 10.15 am tomorrow. Now it transpires that timing was changed, perhaps at the instance of the astrologers. It was said that the Abhijeet Nakshtra begins after 12.14 pm. The most auspicious time will be 12.15 pm. According to senior BJP MP Prabhat Jha, this is the most auspicious time as Lord Rama was born in the Abhijit Nakshtra. 

It is learnt that changes have been made in the program and the two houses of Parliament will meet first at 11 am and then adjourn at 11.30 pm so that M.P.s move towards the Central Hall. The ceremony is likely to last for about 30 minutes and thereafter, Kovind will accompany the out-going President Pranab Mukherjee to his new residence, 10 Rajaji Marg. Union Finance & Defence Minister Arun Jaitley will then accompany the President, Ram Nath Kovind to the Rashtrapati Bhawan from 10 Rajaji Marg.

Kovind who is presently residing at 10 Akbar Road, will leave for the Rashtrapati Bhawan and will come to the Parliament House for swearing-in-ceremony along with Pranab Mukherjee.