My Reflections on AAP MP Sanjay Singh’s Arrest & Corruption

 

My Reflections on AAP MP Sanjay Singh’s Arrest & Corruption

By G B Reddy Sir

On expected lines, the arrest of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha, Sanjay Singh, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, in the Delhi Liquor Policy case allegedly on corruption charges is making high decibel media waves.

However, Sanjay Singh claimed that the ED found nothing - no money trail link to him detected by the ED.

The Troika of AAP Ministers/MP arrested in the Delhi Liquor Policy case on money laundering charges include two Ministers - Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain  - and now Sanjay Singh.  “Kattar Imandar'', turned into “Kattar Bhaimandar'', whom the people of Delhi voted to power.

In retrospect, how relevant is the quote by George Bernard Shaw in India’s politics, “Politics is the last resort for the scoundrel.” As per Lord Acton “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely… Great (political) men are usually bad men. … If the people knew what sort of men statesmen were, they would rise and hang the whole lot of them” is also appropriate in today’s context.

Today, political leaders claim corruption either their birth right entitlement or RIGHT for winning elections by hook or crook. They flaunt their VVIP status – fortress type Bungalows, special security at the public cost, fleet of escort vehicles, and virtually every freebie one can conjure.

The Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) statistical data as of 2023 lists that out of 763 MPs, there are 306 MPs with criminal cases and 184 with serious criminal cases. In addition, out of 4001 MLAs, there are 1777 MLAs with criminal cases and 1136 with serious criminal cases.

Ironic but true that all the MPs/MLAs with criminal cases are invoking the legal right “presumed innocent until proven guilty by the State”. Furthermore, the majority also invoke “Political Vendetta” or “Witch Hunt” as the real motive for their arrest by ruling governments.

As per ADR, there are 475 Crorepathi’s out of 539 MPs elected in 2019. Political parties collected more than Rs 2,172 crore from "unknown sources" in the financial year 2021-22, accounting for 66.04 percent of their total income.

In the present case of Sanjay Singh’s arrest, Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, slammed the ED citing lack of evidence – money trail. He posted on social media platform X “Sanjay Singh's arrest is totally illegal. It highlights Modi ji's anger. He will arrest several opposition leaders in the run up to the elections”.

Followed the series of condemnation from other senior AAP Ministers.  Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj in his briefing stated, “Today, Sanjay Singh has been arrested without any evidence or concrete reason. It proves that the PM knows that he is losing the elections. There is desperation and fear of loss out of which the Central Government is making central agencies do such things.”

Add to them, the suave Atishi, Delhi minister, too stated, "It was a pre-planned script, that they (ED officials) would go to his residence and sit there for 8 hours and then arrest him. It shows the BJP's desperation. PM also knows that whether it is the upcoming elections of 4 states or the elections of 2024, the people have decided to overthrow the BJP government".

Even the Congress general secretary KC Venugopal condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its ‘vendetta politics’.

As per media reports, the Delhi court said the AAP MP's arrest was not unwarranted since Sanjay Singh is related to the receipt of the proceeds, from accused-turned-approver Dinesh Arora, of crime amounting to Rs 2 crore in the Delhi liquor policy case.

The bashing of the investigative agencies - CBI, ED and the Income Tax investigations - and the ruling regime by rival political parties follows the usual script. "Political Vendetta" is the buzzword invoked to fool the people and to gain their sympathy for vote bank politics.

Therefore, the investigative agencies are caught between the proverbial "Devil and the Deep Blue Sea". If they act, political leaders blame investigative agencies as "Caged parrots"; if they do not act, political leaders and parties blame them for the unbridled growth of gargantuan corruption.

Following the past precedents, protests by the AAP Party groups have broken out on the streets of Delhi in support of their leaders. Of course, protests have become a common feature. For example, on 16 June 2022, the Congress party workers and senior leaders protested across the country over the ED's probe against Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case. Followed similar protests nationwide on 21 July 2022 when the ED summoned Sonia Gandhi for investigations in the National Herald case. 

In the past too, Mamata Banerjee too joined the chorus of protests. Then also, she had termed investigations as political vendetta to include Rs.40, 000 crores Rose Valley Scam; Rs. 2.500 crores Saradha Scam; Rs.19, 000 crores Coal Scam; and, cow smuggling to Covid-19 relief robbery. Yet, the gullible people voted in her favor and returned her to power.

On 23 July 2022, Partha Chatterjee, TMC West Bengal Education Minister, was arrested in the SSC fraud case, when Rs.21 crores cash was recovered from the residence of his aide, Arptia Mukherjee, actress. The cash was found in the West Bengal Education Ministry envelopes with the National Emblem printed on them.

On 21 July 2022, KR Ramesh Kumar, Former Karnataka Congress Party MLA and Assembly Speaker, reportedly stated, “We have made enough for two to three generations in the name of Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi and if we are not prepared for this (protests), then in the future there will be worms in our food.” Indeed an honest admission. 

Let me reiterate that political leaders cutting across the full spectrum of political parties have mastered the “SCIENCE” of corruption over the past 75-years. Majority of them do not directly accept the money.  They direct the bribe-givers to deposit the money with their confidants/assistants.  Therefore, the detection of evidence of money trail is a virtual impossibility.

Therefore, the courts should take the verbal statements of “accused turned approvers” like Dinesh Arora as hard evidence. Otherwise, corruption, particularly money laundering as a way, will continue as hitherto fore.

Next, the perception of corruption is dangerous. In Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index, India ranks 85. The 2021 data of corruption cases of the top four Indian States includes Maharashtra with 773; Rajasthan with 501; Tamil Nadu with 423; and Karnataka with 360. No wonder the citizen’s faith in government institutions is eroded.

On 15 August 1997, I K Gujral, former Prime Minister, in his Red Fort Address to the nation, termed “corruption - along with casteism and communalism - the principal enemy of the nation and described those who took bribes as the traitors to the country. It is time to punish or perish”.

The President, KR Narayanan, in his message to the nation on the eve of the 1998 Republic Day Parade, made a scathing indictment on corruption.

On 16 October 1999 after the elections, the Prime Minister, AB Vajpayee, addressing the nation stated, “The principle of zero tolerance will be applied while dealing with corruption that has bred contempt for the law”. What does zero tolerance imply? It implies that no case of corruption will be tolerated and that the corrupt (both the bribe taker and the bribe giver) will be punished. 

Admittedly, democracy is breeding corruption. Universally corruption is a scourge. Yet, massive corruption is a low priority for “We the People” during elections. In fact, they are the ones who accept “Cash-for-votes”. “We the People”- Society - elect leaders and political parties to rule them by demanding/accepting money, liquor and freebies in exchange for votes.  No escape for the candidates to spend crores of rupees to contest in the elections. In turn, leaders and parties elected by fraudulent means breed corruption to safeguard future electoral prospects. Therefore, it is not easy to mobilize public opinion against it.

Ipso facto, politics in democracy is the game played in pursuit of power, wealth and status.  Self - “I-Me-Myself and my progeny” - is the pursuit of “Dynasts, neo-Maharajahs, feudal lords, capitalists, criminals and Dons.  “Winnability” is the sole criteria for selection of candidates by political parties without exception.  Its impact on corruption is devastating. As per experts, corruption knows no geographic boundaries, particularly money laundering. It is the most heinous internal national security threat.  In addition, the political leaders are squarely responsible. What can one expect out of a vicious drama?

Politicians have been quick to capitalize on the appeal of anti-corruption rhetoric on the campaign trail. However, once in office, the obstacles to effectively tackling corruption can prove to be persistent, often leading to unfulfilled expectations. Moreover, it allows ruthless political leaders to use anti-corruption efforts to purge rivals or crackdown on dissent, particularly in authoritarian countries.

In some cases, success in tackling corruption can create its own problems. As entrenched elites find themselves in the crosshairs of effective investigators, they often fight back to protect their ill-gotten privileges. Ironic but true, the CBI, ED, IT and other investigating agencies are facing a backlash by political leaders and parties who are keen to protect their privileges—and avoid accountability. Meanwhile, opportunistic leaders to target their political rivals can also weaponize anti-corruption efforts. The results can leave institutions weakened and voters disillusioned.

The Constitution states, “All are equal before the law”.  In reality, the powerful politicians and the rich know how to circumvent laws. Even if the courts convict the powerful and the rich, they enjoy ‘five star comforts even in jails. It is a grim reality today.

In retrospect, politics, economics and corruption are ‘hand in glove’. The prevailing polarized, radicalized political chaos today, in fact, is in large part the classic aftermath of major economic turmoil because of corruption. The effects of the crisis of corruption over the past 75-years are the root cause for India not realizing its full potential. Corruption also has international dimensions.

Who is responsible for such an absurd situation wherein political criminals and crooks escape conviction? Judiciary blames the Investigating and Prosecuting Agencies. In turn, the Investigating and Prosecuting Agencies blame the Executive for not following sanctions and providing evidence. Ironically, “law takes its own course” is the common euphemism used for the cover-ups.

In sum, the worst fraud committed on "We the People" by political leaders is their claim to wipe out corruption through the policy of "Zero Tolerance against Corruption". “Zero tolerance against corruption” has proved to be an illusion and mirage. Nobody thinks the system is fully safe now. Moreover, nobody thinks we have adequate plans and resources to handle the next series of frauds in the making.

In reality, the Congress Party, having ruled the country for well over 50 years, is the fountainhead of corruption. Of course, “Har ek political party mein Chor hai” is a grim reality.   If you want to look for one, you may find hundreds and thousands around you. Such is the harsh reality. Corruption, particularly the flight of the capital, destroys a lot of wealth very fast. When wealth is destroyed, people get angry. In retrospect, one day in posterity, a virulent populist backlash may rise like a volcano.

Such has been the course or curse on which political leaders have run the course of the society over the past 75 years; it is difficult to find honest people around you. Viewed in the above highlights, media hyper activism or sensationalism of corruption is the worst fraud on the gullible people of India. Ironic but true that none of the media houses highlight that the “Bribe Giver” as much as the “Bribe Taker” are punishable under the Laws of the Land. How many “Bribe Givers” who are punishable under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, convicted? Has the media named and shamed them just as the “bribe takers”?

For example, the Karnataka Contractors Association has alleged in the past that their members pay almost 40% as commission for getting projects. In the expose by the Karnataka contractor Association President, how many “Bribe Givers” have exposed “Bribe Takers”?

At stake is Modi’s credibility! Can Modi crack the whip on corruption on all alike with disregard to party affiliations in such a complex environment? Invoking catchy-phrases or slogans is easy. However, effectively enforcing them in a time bound manner is another thing, which is most challenging.

Nevertheless, it is quite intriguing to know where the AAP is getting the funds for 24x365 advertisements and appearances of not only Arvind Kejriwal, but also Manish Sisodia, Raghava Chadda, Atishi and the latest to join them is Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Chief Minister. Surely, the TV Channels are not providing free broadcasting time due to their highly laudable objectives for public consumption. 

Viewed holistically, the latest arrest of Aam Admi Party (AAP) Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha, Sanjay Singh, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), under Prevention of Money Laundering Act, in the Delhi Liquor Policy case allegedly on corruption charges is just the “Tip of the Iceberg”. Naturally, there is a damning perception of corruption, which is real and dangerous.

Not only our political and bureaucratic grandmasters, but also all others in the field, are hell bent upon paving the course of gargantuan corruption to explode and engulf the nation.

Undeniably, effective countering of corruption is a distant prospect in Indian Democracy in practice today considering the vast sums of illegal money required to contest in the elections. Of course, the responsibility and accountability for such an absurd state squarely lies at the doorstep of “We the People”. 

Finally, the faith in government institutions is slowly but steadily undermined. In turn, it fuels the crisis of democracy. In the ultimate, it is the most sinister and devastating threat to national security interests.