Behind the Scenes: Who is Protecting Vijay Mallya Politically?
Recently, questions have been raised about who is providing political cover for Vijay Mallya, a former Indian billionaire involved in a major financial scandal. The law, both in England and India, has been seen as instrumental in prolonging the legal proceedings, providing ample opportunities for the cunning legal maneuvers required to delay or frustrate justice.
Law and Legal Procedural Complexity
The law, regardless of whether it's in England or India, is as tortuous, complex, and time-consuming as it gets. The principle of innocent until proven guilty allows individuals like Mallya to prolong legal proceedings for extended periods. High-priced, ingenious lawyers can find endless loopholes in these legal systems, thereby delaying the inevitable. In the case of Mallya, the legal roadblocks have been ingeniously crafted to ensure that his case remains perpetually on hold.
Mallya's Fear and Future
Mallya, now 66, seems well aware of his political and legal troubles but remains supremely confident. He is increasingly sweating over the possibility of a long stay in an Indian jail, a prospect he clearly finds terrifying. He has even petitioned the trial judge, bemoaning conditions in Indian jails, including the mosquito menace. While this may initially seem like a simple health concern, his nightmare is far more complex. The fear of an Indian jail is real and deeply rooted, influencing his every move.
Failed Attempts to Keep Mallya in India
The efforts to keep Mallya in India have been thwarted on multiple occasions. For instance, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initially issued a lookout notice on October 16, 2015, instructing law enforcement to detain Mallya if he tried to leave the country. However, this lookout notice was subsequently diluted on November 24, 2015.
CBI's Actions and Political Influence
According to sources from India Today, a mistake in the lookout notice on November 23, 2015, only came to light when Mallya was set to leave for a day-long foreign trip. At the airport, the Bureau of Immigration called the CBI to inquire about the October 16 notice. The CBI responded that Mallya was only to be informed, and could continue his journey. This happened because the original notice had a mistake, which the CBI only realized after Mallya's attempt to leave.
The CBI did not want to detain Mallya as he was cooperating with the ongoing investigations. Thus, the new CBI notice only asked the Bureau of Immigration to take note and allow Mallya to travel. Despite multiple attempts, especially in December, Mallya continued to travel abroad without informing the CBI, who were aware of his travel plans but did not interfere.
Political Intrigue and CBI Involvement
There is mounting speculation that political influence played a role in the CBI's actions. Some view a Gujarat cadre IAS officer, a favorite of Narendra Modi, as the instigator. However, it is improbable that this officer could make such a significant decision without the consent of the Chief, Anil Sinha. If such a notice had been issued without approval, it would have resulted in disciplinary charges for the officer on November 25th. This suggests that his actions were likely influenced by senior directives.
Another theory suggests that political pressure is at play. With Anil Sinha's retirement around the time, the CBI was under different leadership, raising questions about accountability and decision-making processes.
Potential Broader Motives
The questioning of Mallya's legal proceedings is not just an isolated incident but is deeply entangled in the larger political landscape. The Congress party, particularly opposition leaders like Mallikarjun Kharge, have raised the issue of CBI's independence and alleged political pressures on investigations. This corruption scandal, which includes cases such as Aircel Maxi and the 2G scam, implicates many high-ranking officials, including those from the ruling party. Therefore, any attempt to provide political cover for Mallya's evasion is seen as a counter-strategy to shield other influential figures.
In conclusion, the legal and political mechanisms surrounding Vijay Mallya's case are complex and layered. Whether it is due to technical errors, political influence, or broader motives, the challenge remains to ensure that justice is served and accountability is upheld.