The experiences bestowed by Kanchi-Mahaswami — Part 34 : Ran around with the stamp office documents!
https://www.thuglak.com/thuglak/main.php?x=curissue/ninaithu_paarkiraen_23_06_2021.php
Author : Sri S.Gurumurthy
Translator : C.Rangarajan
Many knew that the Express Traders problem was the topmost one for the Express group. They also knew that the settlement commission could help in solving the problem and the related note from Palkhivala. Though Goenka was very influential within the Janata party, they were also helpless. Goenka shared my solution with this family & friends. Within the short period, it helped me to gain much influence in the Express group. On the one hand, it helped to gain a reputation. On the other hand, I was caught in the usual quagmire of competition, jealousy, non-cooperation, and other problems.
Young Man, Continue to be a student always!
In the meantime, the appellate authority dismissed all the orders (mandated on us, without taking our opinion for consideration). Based on those orders, the commissioner raised his objects. Now, he has to revoke the same based on the legal opinion given by Palkhivala. But, the commissioner was a congressman and a relative of Jagadish Tytler. I was tasked to explain it to him, too. I got the rare opportunity of explaining the same to the PM Morarji Desai & Finance minister H.M.Patel. Goenka’s praise about me went overboard. He gave an introduction to CBDT chairman S.Narayanan and told me to explain it to him also.
I had requested him to help in the recall of objections raised by the Mumbai Commissioner and accept our application for the same. He asked, “What can I do on this”? I explained, “During the emergency, the Mumbai authority gave the orders as per the diktat of his high command. Similarly, on those lines, you can ask them to withdraw the orders”. He was a straightforward office and replied, “Whatever happened in the past was not appropriate; Similarly, my action would also be termed appropriate. You better place the request with the Mumbai authority. If it gets refused then we will see what the higher authorities could do”. I could not stop praising his honesty. Then, he continued, “Young man, Goenka told me that you worked out this solution. You will go to places in life and earning this kind of reputation at a such young age is dangerous for you. Continue to be a student, all the time! That alone will help in your growth”. It continues to ring in my ears. Then, we approached the Mumbai commissioner. Though he hesitated initially, later, he agreed to proceed as per the legal note given by Palkhivala.
Three problems, four pieces of evidence
The main question was whether the Express traders partnership was formed in Oct 1970 or not. During the emergency, the government claimed that it was formed in Apr 1971. Hence, we cannot enjoy the associated benefits and that would lead to a severe loss for us. Further to this, the IT department & CBI had filed other charges like cheating, forgery, corruption, etc. They had four pieces of evidence in their support.
- IT department claimed that we forged the registration document that was given to them.
- This was supported by the IT department official (Shirke is his last name) who had accepted that he took the bribe and helped to forge the document
- Again, the same forgery charges were foisted on us in the stamp paper used for registration.
- Again, an office from the stamp office claimed that he accepted a bribe and helped to forge.
Driver Arumugam
Though many had helped in the resolution, two were important — Express manager Ranganathan & Goenka’s driver Arumugam. Both were Tamilians. Arumugam was very efficient in driving and was helping me during my stay in Mumbai between 1977–90. He provided great help in my efforts to thwart all the fake evidence created by the CBI.
There was a change in the government but not the CBI officials. They were continuously monitoring our movements in this case. Once they came to know about my role, they were following me too. Arumugam helped to hoodwink them and took me to the people. If the CBI had come to know about my meetings they may project that I was threatening the witnesses and arrest me, too. So, all my meetings were very secretive. Arumugam was very helpful. Unfortunately, he got dismissed from the express group. Therefore, I appointed him as my driver in the CA firm.
Two pieces of evidence were disproved
With the help of Arumugam, I took the IT department office Shirke to a secret place and questioned him. He said, “Sir, we do not maintain the registrars regularly and continue to interject with the forms. CBI abused me physically and forced me to give that letter”. Now, I found ways to destroy those two pieces of evidence. Shirke was ready to give an affidavit also.
Ran away with 20 KGs Registers
Mumbai general staff office was located in the Asiatic society building and the stamp papers were purchased from there. Every transaction gets maintained in the registers. Since the CBI claimed the purchase dates of those stamp papers were fudged, I wanted to check that too. I reached out to an honest Muslim officer there.
When we explained the situation, he was surprised and mentioned that we have interpolations on every page. He took us to the register room to show them and showed multiple interpolations in the register. We were convinced that the CBI’s claim would stand in the court of law. Hence, we sought the officer’s permission to take photographs or allow us to take them outside for 4 hours to get the photocopies. He disallowed both and we continue to repeat the requests for many days. Finally, he agreed to take it outside and cautioned us, “ If the news gets leaked out then he would lose his job ad we would get arrested”.
By that time, we had called the express photographer, Harry Miller to take the photos. From the strong room of the registrar’s office, I moved the documents to the Express office. Along with Harry, one more photographer took pictures of 500+ pages. After the work, again with the help of driver Arumugam, I sneaked back to the government office and returned the records. Then with the help of the office, we reached out to the person who laid out the corruption charges. Then only, we gained the confidence that we would in the case.
Let me narrate in the next chapter how we crossed the other hurdles too.
To be contd…
Postscript:
Arumugam was a very dependable driver. Goenka got an appointment with the SBI chairman on Jul 1977, 9 AM. Goenka was known for his punctuality; The driver got delayed by few minutes. Goenka became very angry and known for his belligerence similar on the lines of Sage Viswamithra & Sage Durvasa. He started running after Arumugam to hit him that surpried the onlookers. While running, Goenka collapsed in front of the Air India building due to a heart attack.
He was unconscious for a week in the hospital. On waking up, he wanted to dismiss Arumugam. The doctors informed his daughter-in-law, Saroj Goenka. Saroj told him that Arumugam was dismissed. Goenka never gets convinced so easily and he demanded to see the related documents. Finally, Arumugam was dismissed. He was like their family member. With their consent, I recruited & retained him for six months.
