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The Chitra Subramaniam Chat

I left The Hindu because they stopped publishing the story at a very critical juncture. Talking about hope, if people like you and me give up hope, what do you tell others who are worse off than us? It's easy to give up hope, it's even easier to turn cynical. Nope. I am an eternal optimist...

sonofagun, le travail il magnifique

Do you believe that most of the money has been spirited out of the Swiss acconts and taken to Liberia and Panama? Is there any way the Indian govt can get hold of the funds -- ala Marcos?

But what force the Hindu to stop, given that even Mr N Ram was on your side? Was the pressure so hard to stand up to?

Mrs Subramanium DO you pearsonally feel that the HIndujas are involved in the scam? if so How.

Ms Subramaniam, you have written that arrest warrants be issued against those mentioned in the papers. Who would these people be? Do you have an idea?

Indeed, there are a hundred other scams involving a lot of money that need to be investigated. and there are a lot of journalists trying to dig out the dirt against great odds. I don't think Bofors swallowed the limelight. The facts were so sensational that the story rollled on its own. Correct me if I am wrong, but this was also the first time that the entire democratic process was subverted to protect a few very powerful people.

Chitra today with the judiciary being all powerful how is the state of corruption now? do you think our politicians will ever learn

ravi: go back to your desk. you are missing the deadline.

permit to reply, the Hindu is great, but why the hell did you guys buckle under to Rajiv Gandhi?

May I repeat my question: I get the impression that you know a lot more about the Bofors case, than you have oublished so far. Is it the lack of tangible evidence? Is it the fear of libel?

What do you think about the hawala scandal ? Bigger net of people ..

Did you ever get a message from Rajiv to lay off the Bofors story?

Ms Chitra, why don't you go ahead and mention all the names? Right down to the last man, dead or alive.

Let's not allow the CBI to fool us into believing that the 5th, 6th or 25th account is important. What a joke! All the accounts are important and all this fuss with this and that detail is a ploy to not look at the main story. I have said this earlier but those of us who want to get to the bottom of this wll now have to push for a judge to take over the pricess. And yes, the Hindujas are very much linked to this deal, their periodic denials notwithstanding. Just wait till the next batch of papers reach India.

Why are you silent about the Hindujas, Madam?

How much more time should one give to the CBI to come out with all the names of the people involved?

How much more time should one give to the CBI to come out with all the names of the people involved?

Hello Chitra! Do the investigating agencies contacting you in this regard ? Don't you think they need your help too ?

Yes, there were threats and pressure on me and my family to lay off. but then, it's part of the game -- you can't get on a roller coaster and then shout that you have vertigo. i suppose I can laugh about it now, but there were some very difficult moments. but, I have a very supportive family.

Do U think that these papers will be made public at any time ??

Sorry, could you please tell us more about the Hindujas's involvement? Why are they acting so saintly then?

Ms Chitra, why is it so important to you ? Hawala in my opinion is larger than this ..

Madam:Do you have a Swiss Bank account? How much did you charge for petrol in december '96? Would you like to elaborate on your source(s) of income please? Thank You.

Bofors, Mr Ravi, is a metaphor for our decaying political culture, that is why it is so important.

Ms Chitra, you are truly a brave woman? But for the record, why don't you tell us who threatened you, List the names so that they stand exposed.

In 1994, the Swiss justice ministry gave out the names of the appellants. According to Swiss laws, only those linked to the accounts or owning the accounts can appeal. The names were Ottavio Quattrocchi, Win Chadha, Svenska Incorporated, Jubilee Finance, Srichand, Gopichand and Prakash Hinduja. This information was given to the GOI three years ago. What has come of it?

If Rajiv's name figures in this list , is there any sense it bringing it up, the poor man died for God's sake Let it go ..

If Martin Ardbo's diaries reveal so much, why have the Swedes not got after him, to reveal what happened? If not for the Bofors bribes, at least for the Palme killing?

Madam:a response, por favour?Thank You...

How long do you think it will take for the Bofors secrets to be out? Do you think three months are unnecessary?

Can the Supreme Court take over this case on their own and control the whole case?

The Hindujas played a very active role in the cover up process in Sweden, Switzerland and India. There are several documents that show their role and this has been written about in great detail. As to why they are acting saintly, ask them.

Mog, use your head. Chitra lives in Switzerland, so where will she have her accounts, Timbuctu? perhaps Antartica!

May I repeat my question: I get the impression that you know a lot more about the Bofors case, than you have published so far. Is it the lack of tangible evidence? Is it the fear of libel?

No response from Madam? Let us tell you-Madam gets her petrol bills paid by IVECO, correct? IVECO in India is none other than the Hindujas, who have set up shop in Tamil Nadu. 1-2-3???

Why have successive govts been so reluctant to expose the Bofors recepients? I can understand Rao, I can understand Shekhar, but V P Singh?

howitzer 135mm:that's it, there are accounts in Jersey islands and also in Guernsey which we ned to ask madamji about...ofcourse she will also bank in CH... we aren't THAT dumb here in delhi, really...nor do we swallow everything thrown our way...let the lady answer?

I don't think the CBI should be given any more time than it has already wasted. I think it should do something today, now, tomorrow. I mean, people have been hanged for much less. If your domestic help steals or if someone who is weaker than you steals -- and Bofors was daylight robbery -- how much time do you give that person before punishing him or her? It's interesting, it seems to me that our helplessness is always in some proportion to the power of the person whom we accuse. if someone very powerful has done something wong, then we all throw up our hands in despair. If a poor person has erred, we beat them up and throw them in prison -- what kind of justice is that?

Thank you, Chitra, for your time. I must get back to work. Good evening and all the very best.

Not only should the guilty be punished, also the money they robbed should be returned to the country, starting with the 640 million rupees which was paid to RG (correct me if I am wrong, Ms CS)