BJP’s Drama Before The Elections, CBI-ED-NIA Team’s UK Expedition, Target Vijay Mallya And Nirav Modi, Just The Beginning?

In Indian politics, where drama often precedes elections, the latest act orchestrated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi/ BJP and his team unfolds as another episode in a long-running reality show. 

This script, meticulously directed and produced, has been captivating audiences for nine years. Yet, the predictability of the outcome raises questions about its authenticity and the underlying motives.

The target is the extradition of high-profile fugitives like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi. 

The team, led by a senior foreign ministry official, is set to engage with UK authorities through the Indian High Commission in London. 

Their primary objective is to identify and seize the ‘proceeds of crime,’ particularly properties owned by the fugitives in the UK and other countries. 

This includes the notorious arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, alleged to have close ties with Robert Vadra, husband of Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi-Vadra. Bhandari fled the country in 2016 amid investigations into defence deals during the UPA regime.

Given their connections to political figures, the three-agency team’s focus on Bhandari, Modi, and Mallya raises eyebrows. Are these extradition efforts genuinely driven by a commitment to justice, or is there a subtle political undertone to the process?

Under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), India and the UK are obligated to share information on criminal investigations involving economic offenders. 

However, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), not the usual Home Ministry, is leading the charge in this case. Does this shift indicate a diplomatic motive rather than a straightforward legal pursuit?

Despite pending appeals in higher courts, the government has already seized properties owned by the fugitives in India, selling some assets to repay outstanding dues to banks. 

The alleged involvement of Bhandari, Vadra, and other high-profile figures adds a layer of complexity to the situation. The ED’s investigations into payoffs related to defence deals involve individuals with political connections. 

Does the government’s pursuit of justice extend equally to all, or is there selective targeting based on political affiliations?

What’s The Story Line

Scepticism looms as the storyline takes unexpected turns, such as the abrupt removal of the international Red Alert against Nirav Modi’s uncle due to purported document deficiencies. 

In this plot, a special flight with experts was dispatched, (allegedly) negotiating a surreal scenario where fugitives find sanctuary in the Caribbean Islands for a lifetime.

The scriptwriter, Modi, seemingly avoids addressing the alleged misdeeds of individuals with connections close to home, particularly those hailing from his own party. 

The Recap

Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, two high-profile Indian businessmen, are embroiled in financial scandals that shook the business world.

Vijay Mallya

Vijay Mallya, the former chairman of Kingfisher Airlines and a prominent liquor baron, faced allegations of financial irregularities and defaulting on loans. 

Kingfisher Airlines, launched in 2005, encountered financial troubles and eventually ceased operations in 2012 and Mallya was accused of diverting funds meant for the airline to support his extravagant lifestyle. 

In 2016, a consortium of Indian banks declared him a “willful defaulter” for failing to repay loans amounting to around Rs 9,000 crore. Subsequently, Mallya left India and took refuge in the United Kingdom. 

Indian authorities sought his extradition to face charges of fraud and money laundering, but nothing happened.

Nirav Modi

Nirav Modi, a well-known jewellery designer, was implicated in one of the largest banking frauds in India. 

In 2018, it was revealed that Nirav Modi and his uncle, Mehul Choksi, had defrauded the Punjab National Bank (PNB) of over Rs 13,000 crore. The scam involved the issuance of fraudulent letters of undertaking (LoUs) by PNB officials, allowing Modi’s companies to obtain credit from overseas branches of other Indian banks. 

The funds obtained were allegedly used for personal and business expenses. Modi and Choksi fled the country before the scandal came to light. 

Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice against Modi for his role in the fraud. He was arrested in the United Kingdom in 2019 and faced extradition proceedings initiated by Indian authorities. The charges against Modi include fraud, money laundering, and criminal conspiracy.

Both Mallya and Modi have become symbols of high-profile economic offenders, and their cases have fueled discussions about the need for stronger financial regulations and mechanisms to prevent such frauds in the future.

The Current Drama

The spotlight on “thieves” raises eyebrows about the selectiveness of this drama; is this a genuine pursuit of justice or a political manoeuvre just before general elections?

Critics question why Modi doesn’t channel the same energy into cleansing his own party of corrupt Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs). 

The theatrical struggle against corruption, akin to a wrestling match, appears to yield near-zero results when it comes to confronting allegations against BJP members- the wrestler’s molestation scandal.

The Pre-Election Drama

In the midst of this elaborate performance, the audience is left contemplating whether this is just another episode in the ongoing Modi drama or the beginning of a genuine commitment to clean up the political scene. 

As the CBI-ED-NIA team embarks on its mission to the UK, one cannot help but question the authenticity of the government’s motives. 

Is this a genuine effort to bring fugitives to justice, or is it, as some sceptics suggest, just another act in the BJP’s pre-election drama? 

The coming days may reveal whether this is the beginning of a sincere pursuit of justice or the culmination of a political spectacle, and the upcoming elections will serve as the ultimate stage to determine whether this production is merely a political spectacle or a sincere endeavour to address corruption within and beyond party lines.