JOIN USThe constitution of a joint parliamentary committee to probe the charges of payment of kickbacks in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal cannot be taken as an attempt to uncover the truth but only as a ploy to suppress it. In spite of defence minister A K Antony’s personal commitment made in Parliament to bring out the whole truth, there is no doubt that the JPC is not the right device for that.
The government was probably under the impression that a parliamentary probe would satisfy the opposition parties as they had insisted on it for investigation of some corruption cases in the past. But every corruption case is different from others, though the common element of violation of the law and illegal gains runs through them.
The payment of bribes to Indians has been confirmed in Italy and legal proceedings have been initiated in that country. The government still pleads helplessness in India, citing secrecy clauses and other issues that it claims make it difficult for Indian investigation to secure information from abroad.
A CBI inquiry has been initiated into the charges but it has not taken off the ground. The demand for an investigation under the supervision of the Supreme Court is fair in the circumstances. Even when the apex court monitors the investigation there is no certainty whether the CBI will be able to uncover the truth. Its past record does not inspire confidence as it has not been able to book the culprits in most of the investigations conducted into charges of corruption in defence deals.
However a court-monitored investigation has a better chance of success than others. The government’s position that the JPC can, if it wants, get the investigation done under the court’s supervision is not convincing. The JPC is dominated by the ruling party and may not agree to that. In any case, if it is prepared for such an investigation later, why can’t it agree to it now?
The JPC is constrained by the fact that it has no investigative powers. What is required is tracking of the money trail, information on the identity of the recipients, collection of evidence and co-ordination with investigators and courts in other countries. This calls for active investigation in the field and the JPC cannot undertake this. The JPC which has been formed will lack legitimacy also because most of the opposition parties have opposed it and may not associate themselves with it.