• The editorial Raid raj reminds one of what finally happened to the Bofors investigation and Quattrocchi. Nothing,absolutely nothing. In such investigations,the government organs conducting the investigation remember that they are in the spotlight of their incumbent political bosses; and once the bosses have acquired their pound of flesh behind closed doors bargaining,the team will be shown first the amber light and then the red light. At the end of the day,your fears in the editorial that the investigation has been a casual unleashing of state harassment will prove prophetic.
Kedarnath R. Aiyar
Right people?
• In the editorial Raid raj,you have rightly disapproved of whole-sale raids on business and corporate houses in connection with the IPL affairs. One has terrible memories of the inspector raid raj in the so-called socialist and Emergency eras. Let us not go from the one extreme of total inaction,indifference and ineptitude,to the other one of harassment and intimidation on mere suspicion or perception. In an era of reforms,a free market economy and worldwide movement of money,more dignified and democratic methods should be explored to ensure fair business practices. Knowing the notoriety of our income tax people for their corrupt ways,is this agency the right tool to probe any violations of tax and other related laws?
M. Ratan
New Delhi
Ban IPL
• It has very rightly been stated by members of Parliament that the IPL is laundering black money from dubious sources,that it has nothing to do with cricket and that it has been misusing the Indian passion for cricket. It has been appropriately dubbed as nothing more than an organised gamble. One wishes the media had exposed the IPL. The need of the hour is that IPL be banned,and the government initiate a thorough probe into its shady dealings.
M. Hashim Kidwai
New Delhi
Casino royale
• A brand value of more than $4 billion and two new teams that cost about as much as the eight of 2008,the IPL now rivals top corporate houses and proves that India has a lot of money underneath for spending on sports and gambling. Therefore,I believe that by legalising gambling and bringing it above ground,the government can begin to reverse the process,breaking the monopoly of the betting cartels and turning black money into white that can be taxed.
C. Koshy John
