By Ratan Pradhan
CBI probe into ponzi scam has many a mask taken out, and it’s fun seeing the show
Everybody loves a smiling face. Job aspirants wear a timid smile when they face interviewers. An employer prefers a worker who exudes confidence and has a charming smile on his/her face. When you approach someone to get some important job done, you do so with a disarming smile. However, things took a rocky turn for a few lawmakers who strived to prove their ‘innocence’ by smiling ear-to-ear during the course of the CBI probe into the murky chit fund saga.
Of late, the doors of the CBI office in Bhubaneswar have seen politicos, realtors, businessmen, media persons, retired IAS officers and people from the world of sports entering and leaving – albeit after hours of rigorous grilling – for their alleged links with chit funds. Almost everyone who was someone did some ‘mischief’, it would appear. But their idiosyncratic body language is grabbing media attention. The strategy of trying to play it safe by restoring to tactful gestures, however, has proven futile.
Of course, there is a different class of individuals who come to the CBI office with their faces hung low, but more on them in due course.
A sitting MLA and another MP from Orissa, who are now behind bars, were seen briefing the media with cheerful countenances – almost oozing confidence – as if their show of confidence will disarm CBI sleuths into believing there is no need wasting time on such innocent souls.
But, then, what went wrong? Are they really guilty? Only time will tell. Nevertheless, an MLA’s falsehoods were nailed when he claimed he was unwell but medical tests proved he was lying with his tongue and not lying on a hospital bed. His bail plea was rejected forthwith.
The MLA, to get back to our point, was caught grinning on camera and saying with what appeared to be a lot of conviction, “Today, I was asked about… And I submitted my response to the CBI”, as if he was called in to give evidence about the wrong deeds of someone.
Apart from kinds of statements like Doodh ka doodh, paani ka paani hurled at the media by a ruling party MP, the leaders were busy all the while trying their best to prove they were innocent. The MP in question had to face uncomfortable queries from the media on the day of his arrest.
Chief of Seashore Group, who was recently taken on remand, appeared in the CBI office fully decked up as if he had come to a fashion show. The ‘model’ in question was nowhere around though. His elegant bridal get-up hooked media attention. Also, the marked improvement in his health raised a few eyebrows. People began talking about how the privileged few enjoy their days in jail under the prevalent moth-eaten system. It would give the impression that our jails are turning into holiday destinations or rejuvenation centres.
About those coming to the CBI office with sunken faces, let’s not draw the conclusion that they are feeling secret pangs of guilt and ready to repent for their misdeeds – which, by now, would be well nigh impossible for them to prove that they have not committed. It would also be unwise to comment that these people have got unwillingly trapped in ponzi scams. Just that after having made fatal errors they have come to accept the unsavoury truth that they have no way out but to face the probe with a sense of accountability and humility. And, a trick or two may still be coming out of their pockets, if need be, to extricate themselves out of the present lull.
Now, this is something for the movers and shakers of society to ponder: what should be the ideal (read uncontroversial) body language of an individual while facing the media at CBI office. At least this would keep them busy for some time.
It is indeed unfortunate that those who have dirtied their hands by signing secret pacts with fly-by-night operators are still a long way from realising the simple truth that confession is a great moral device. Many of the most severe of Mahatma Gandhi’s critics have often cited his saying, “Confession of errors is like a broom which sweeps away the dirt and leaves the surface brighter and clearer.”
What is holding all those ‘leaders’ back who have benefited from chit funds at the cost of the taxpayer from confessing their wrongdoings, if any? Is it solely their concern to hold on to their image and the social prestige they enjoy? Confession, we ought to remind them, is the best way to crawl out of the mess rather than maintaining a hypocritical posture. Granted, appearances often deceive but, then, CBI knows better!
