The Kargil War-winning Bofors Gun. Picture source: https://m.economictimes.com
By Renjith Thomas. First Published in The Medium on 20 August 2020
“I’ve got Rajiv Gandhi’s Swiss Bank account number here,” said VP Singh at an election rally in Patna showing a piece of paper to the crowd.
He promised to reveal the Bofors beneficiaries within 15 days in power. Swiss Bank, Black Money… Sounds familiar?
Corruption Allegations against Nehru-Gandhi Family
Nehru-Gandhi family held PM position for 37.8 years (13819 days) since Independence. In this period only two corruption allegations were there against them.
- Indira Gandhi siphoned off $6 million to Sanjay Gandhi’s Swiss Bank account
- The Bofors Case
The $6 million dollar case
During the Emergency, there was a secret transfer of $6 million to a number account in Geneva. Morarji Desai alleged that it was to Sanjay Gandhi’s Swiss Bank Account. When he came to power he ordered an investigation.
In the investigation, it was found that it was paid as commission to get $250 million as soft loan from Shah of Iran. The $6 million commission was paid to an Iranian middleman, Rashidyan. After finding out the truth, Morarji closed the case.
What is the Bofors case?
On March 18, 1986, India signed a ₹1,437-crore deal with Swedish arms manufacturer AB Bofors for the supply of 400 155-mm Howitzer guns for the Army. Rajiv insisted and Bofors pledged to not have any middleman involved.
A year later, a Swedish radio channel alleged that the company had bribed top Indian politicians and defence personnel to secure the contract. Rajiv ordered an investigation.
The opposition never alleged that Rajiv took the money himself including Mr. Subramanian Swamy.
Rajiv Gandhi government fell in the 1989 elections. VP Singh came to power and sent a three-member team to Sweden including Late Mr. Arun Jaitley to investigate the case. They chilled out there for several months and couldn’t find anything related to Rajiv Gandhi.
Vajpayee govt ordered a CBI probe into Bofors in 1999. And in February 2004, Justice JD Kapoor of the Delhi HC quashed all the charges of bribery against Rajiv Gandhi and others. Later in 2005, the Supreme Court upheld the verdict.
“16 long years of investigation by CBI could not unearth a scintilla of evidence against them for having accepted bribe/illegal gratification in awarding the contract in favour of AB Bofors”
— Justice J.D. Kapoor, Delhi High Court, Feb 4, 2004
Nehru-Gandhi family ruled India for nearly 38 years and BJP/Sangh ruled for 12 years directly and 3 years in coalitions. Still, they couldn’t prove anything against them so far.
“A lie told once remains a lie but a lie told a thousand times becomes the truth”
— Joseph Goebbels
The motto of the Sangh is the same as Joseph Goebbels’. But, India’s motto is “Satyameva Jayate”. The truth always triumphs!
Disclaimer :The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. AlignIndia does not take any responsibility for the content of the article.
(Renjith Thomas is a Software Professional Interested in Social issues & Politics. He can be reached @TowardsLiberti)