In continuation of my yesterday’s blog on Maruti Scandal, today I am writing about one more scandal which happened in late 80s and also engineered by Congressmen.
St.Kitts Forgery Scandal
In the early 1989, a conspiracy was hatched by some Congress Leaders to malign VP Singh, who had left Congress and confronting Rajiv Gandhi to come clean on Bofors issue. A story was planted in the press that Ajeya Singh(son of VP Singh) has opened a bank account in the First Trust Corporation Bank in St Kitts and deposited $21 million in it for his father’s benefits. The intention was to tarnish VP Singh’s image.
As the press started making noises about this issue, on Sept 26, 1989 Deputy Director AP Pandey of Enforcement Directorate, was appointed by Govt to probe the allegations.
AP Pandey after visiting US and St Kitts, submits his report to ED, and within 2 days report was tabled in both the houses of Parliament.
But in Nov 26 1989, General Elections took place and Congress Party lost the power on Dec 2 1989 VP Singh becomes Prime Minister.
Case is transferred to CBI, and in May 1990 CBI registers FIR against ED Director KL Varma, AP Pandey, self styled Godman Chandraswamy & his assistant KN Agarwal aka Mamaji, arms dealer Adnan Kashoggi’s son in law Larry Kolb, Managing Director of First Trust Corporation in St Kitts George Mclean.
During the investigation it came out that there was forgery committed with the help of some influential persons in Govt in opening of the bank account in the name of Ajeya Singh
VP Govt falls in Nov 1990, and Chandrashekhar became PM with the support of Congress..
In March 1991 CBI Jt. Director NK Singh is transferred as he wanted to interrogate Godman Chandraswami.
Again fresh Elections in May/June 1991, and during elections Rajiv Gandhi is assassinated.
June 12 1991 PV Narsimharao becomes PM.
No further probe happened during Congress rule till 1996.
In Feb 1996 People’s Union of Civil Liberties moves Supreme Court seeking disclosure of CBI findings.
On Feb 10 1996, SC orders combining of charges in various petitions against Chandraswamy and also probing the allegations raised against PV Narsimharao.
CBI files affidavit showing only limited role of PV Narsimharao, in Mar 1995.
In July 1996, SC tells CBI not to close cases against Rao without their permission
CBI Chargesheets Rao, Chandraswamy, Mamaji and former External affair Minister KK Tiwari for criminal conspiracy for tarnishing VP Singh’s image.
In Nov 1996, CBI arrests Rao but releases him on bail.
In Dec 1996 Delhi HC gives notice to CBI , on PUCL appeal, to include the name Satish Sharma & RK Dhawan (both Congress Leaders) in Chargesheet as they have been named by other accused in their confessions, for playing big role in this conspriacy
In June 1997, Special Judge Ajit Bharihoke discharges Rao & Tiwari for want of substantial evidence against both of them, and orders framing charges against Mamaji & Chandraswamy.
Trial commences.
Before the verdict is pronounced Mamaji Dies, and in Sept 2004 verdict Chandraswamy is also acquitted.
In the end for which purpose this forgery was executed did not bear any results as people believed more in VP Singh than in Congressmen who made this allegations against Ajeya Singh to just malign his father VP Singh, so that he loses elections. The result was Congress lost election very badly, and subsequently VP Singh became PM.
From this case it became very evident that CBI was used by Congress, as when VP Singh was CM the CBI did not progressed swiftly in this case and then till the time PV Narsimharao was PM, CBI dilly dallied the case and in the end it was the intervention of SC that the CBI was forced to file charge sheet, but too much time was lost , evidences destroyed and hence charges did not stick in the court.
R. N. Mungale.
Yes P. V. Narsinhrao was guilty in this case.