The Black Money List

It was a cool October evening in Mussorie, and the first pangs of winter seemed to have set in. Sitting in the guest house veranda Chimanbhai seemed restless. The beautiful valley and greenery before him were not comfort enough - thoughts rankled him that led him back to his father and family business.

Chimanbhai was part of a prosperous Gujarati family business that dealt in bullion trade. Lachhmandas & Co were wholesalers of gold for three generations in the Kutch district. This was a highly profitable business that was essentially transacted in cash and therefore for generations created vast amounts of unaccountable money for the Lachhmandas family. The family was generous to all they were associated with and they saw to that the majority of the community and district they resided in were looked after. The District Magistrate, local Police Commissioner and state bureaucrats were friends and taken care of. The prying eyes of the Income Tax authorities kept were thus kept in abeyance 

The bullion they had was imported or in some cases smuggled from Dubai and they further sold the gold to the several top jewellery stores and brands in Gujarat, Delhi and Mumbai. After the opening up of the Indian economy in the early nineties, demand for gold increased in India and as a result Lachhmandas & Co's profits multiplied. Supply was basically smuggled gold, as the imported gold was hard to come by, and therefore the unaccounted element of their profits surged heavily. A traditional conservative Gujarati family, the Lachhmandas’ led a fairly simple lifestyle despite their immense wealth. The real worry was however, was where to park the ever increasing unaccounted cash. One was to park it in land, but that proved difficult to park all their cash money as such transactions invited the tax authorities to take a closer look at the land deals to ferret out the cash element of the transaction.

One of Lachmandass’ advisors along with a client suggested a safer better route - convert the cash into bullion / foreign exchange and park it into a Swiss Bank. Though the interest element was negligible (in fact there was a hefty fee) on such deposit, its veil of secrecy of its account holders and the safety of funds was legendary. Further, such bullion / foreign exchange could be used in their future businesses.

After several rounds of deliberations within the family and trusted advisors a bank was selected. Using the traditional hawala route and after several rounds of travel between India, Switzerland and Germany funds were parked with a Bank in Switzerland. It was operated on a no-name basis and Chimanbhai's father was its designated operative. After his death in 1998, the operating authority moved to Chimanbhai. 

Chimanbhai's thoughts then moved to a sudden Indian Govt's interest in unaccounted money in Swiss Banks. All these years there was only a whimper of protest amongst the media on India’s unaccounted wealth in Swiss Banks. Suddenly in 2014 it has become an election issue with Narendra Modi and BJP winning on one of their key planks - in unearthing India's black money and bringing its perpetrators to justice. Lachhmandass & Co firm had contributed substantially to the election kitty of both the leading national parties over the years and Chimanbhai felt secure in that - not so now.

Chimanbhai had moved to Mussorie for a couple of days on the advice of his doctors for easing his worried mind. They suggested a nondescript resort away from the din of regular tourists. The resort he was at was a small but beautiful homestay run by a Delhi based family who themselves were visiting then.

"Sir, Madam and Baba would like you join them at the lounge for TV and dinner" the personal butler assigned to Chimanbhai's room quipped. As this was homestay, there was only a single TV (a large flat screen) shared by all residents. Meals were served either in the room or at the lounge where the select guests intermingled over long protracted meals. 

Chimanbhai was relieved that other than Mrs Bahl and her son, there were no guests in the homestay. He asked his travel agent for this kind of reclusive arrangement and he was happy to have got a resort to his taste.

As Chimanbhai moved across to the lounge he saw Mrs Bahl, a rather sparse dignified woman rarely seen in Punjabis of Delhi. To Mrs Bahl left was here son, smart but rather awkward looking lad flipping through TV channels.

"Good evening Chimanbhai", beamed Mrs Bahl - "I hope you find the resort to your liking and I hope everything is taken care of " - Mrs Bahl still smiling and confident.  “As you can see, this is an exclusive place and we cater to a select range of clients sourced through word of mouth", Mrs Bahl explained. 

"Good evening sir, - I am Atul", quipped the son.  Chimanbhai greeted both of them and affirmed that his stay so far at the homestay had met his expectations.

"Let’s watch TV", said Atul - "Sir, do you have any preferences of channels". Chimanbhai hated Saas-Bahu soap operas as he hated other family spun channels. "Let’s watch the News" said Chimanbahai trying to skirt all the Hindi soap operas

Atul went on the Times Now channel which was still advertising mode before its chief anchor Mr Arnab Goswami was to appear. Mrs Bahl ordered for a pot of tea and snacks after Chimanbhai politely refused the alcoholic beverages offered by Atul and his mother. The tea and the snacks arrived, all quietly sipped the warm tea in cool climate.

Suddenly, the TV came to life - the booming and omnipresent face and voice of Arnab Goswami came smack across the big TV screen. "Who will punish the guilty and why is the BJP not revealing the all the names of all black money holders of Indian origin in Swiss Bank accounts" thundered Arnab. "Why is the BJP going back on its election promises on bringing back black money and punishing the guilty" 

Both Mrs Bahl and her son seemed to be glued to the TV action to have cared to take a look at Chimanbhai's face. It went ashen and it seemed he would felt happier sitting under the dining table. "Damn that bugger Arnab" Chimanbhai spoke under his breath scarcely evincing any interest from Mrs Bahl and her son. After a team of panellists launched themselves into heated debate did someone break the silence at the homestay lounge.

"These ba......ds deserve the death penalty" Atul spoke in anger seeking approval from Chimanbhai and his mother. Mrs Bahl chided him gently "It’s not your concern Atul, the law of the land will take its course, don't you agree Chiman sir" Chimanbhai tried to speak but no words were coming out of his mouth. "Mom, as an Indian citizen I have a right to my views - these people steal from our country and take it outside India. Most of this is ill-gotten wealth of people who have misused their power and positions to swindle the nation. We as nations are tough on petty crime but cheats of this order need severe punishment in order to deter others" Atul spoke still venting his anger.

In all this diatribe, Chimanbhai's blood pressure rose swiftly - not so much from the mother and son talk but from the fact that Arnab mentioned that the Supreme Court had severely reprimanded the Indian Govt and sought to have the full list of the transgressors. Now the names were beyond the protective custody of the Government in power. It would now be in the hands of India’s highest court.

In act of insanity Chimanbhai defended the culprits "Do you expect honest citizens pay a high rate of tax that is frittered away by the Govt on poverty schemes. Instead it is better served in other lands"

Mrs Bahl was aghast at Chimanbhai’s statement but the young lad caught on. Murga phas gaya - he thought and his mind started working overtime on ways to needle Chimanbhai.

As the TV debate ensued, dinner was served. It was apparent things were not looking good for Chimanbhai. He was distraught and wasn't feeling well. He wished he was home and not ensconced in a nondescript homestay somewhere in the Himachal hills with a middle aged lady and her belligerent son for comfort.

Atul took the dinner opportunity to revive the black money debate - "what sir" he asked Chimanbhai "is your opinion on the kind of punishment that needs to meted to such offenders". Chimanbhai replied "It must be proved that these people are offenders first. All people having Swiss Bank accounts are not necessarily hiding ill-gotten money. It may be legitimate money for business purposes" Atul reacted immediately "but sir, if their money is legitimate then why use a Swiss Bank where the key attribute is secrecy of funds and ownership. Why not keep it in any commercial bank in a foreign country?"

Chimanbhai realized his arguments were going nowhere - he was trying to defend the indefensible and putting himself in a tight corner. "Let us hope even the Supreme Court reveals the names, it may so happen that some sitting or retired judges may find themselves in the list" remarked Chimanbhai. "Very unlikely" quipped Atul "those who deposit in Swiss Banks must have large funds to qualify for such deposit and are subject to high bank charges. Judges maybe corrupt but are not privy to such large funds" Chimanbhai winced, this boy has got me, he felt. Atul carried on "now that the Judges have the list, I am sure it will be leaked by the Govt soon else they could appear as party to the offence. I have friends who seem to be in the right places in Delhi who can obtain any Govt document" boasted Atul. "Sir if you are on Whatsapp, I could also provide you the list on an immediate basis, once I get my hands on it"

Chimanbhai was now feeling real weary and had enough of the brat. He decided would call up his travel agent tomorrow to immediately book him a ticket back to his hometown.

Chimanbhai had a bad night - some very bad thoughts were passing his head. He felt a small fry in the big list that was prepared by the Govt. He was neither a politician nor big industrialist like Ambani or Adani. He was a mere trader and in the scheme of things he was on the lower rank of offenders and therefore a potential scapegoat. He wished that his firm had legitimately paid their taxes in the past so that he would be spared of his present stress and discomfiture. In all this, he made a bold decision that night - from now on my trading company would pay all its taxes to the government irrespective of the outcome of the list. He did want any national shame burden to his children and grandchildren.

Chimanbhai cut a hasty retreat from the homestay the next day - he called his travel agent and got a morning taxi organized to Delhi. He left after settling his dues but not saying his goodbyes and thank-yous to Mrs Bahl and her son.

As the taxi crossed the Uttarkhand border, Chimanbhai started experiencing breathing difficulties. He realized he was suffering from a heart attack. With no hospital close by, the cab driver was forced to admit Chimanbhai to a local government dispensary. The doctors and nurses at the dispensary were ill-equipped to take care of a cardiac patient. An ambulance was called from the nearby general hospital. It took over an hour which proved fatal for Chimanbhai. Chimanbhai died on the ambulance on the way to the general hospital.

In the ensuing next days, there were hectic parleys between Surat and Dehradun. The family cremated Chimanbhai in Haridwar and disbursed his ashes in the Ganges. 

In the meantime, if anyone had noticed a Whatsapp message was sent to Chimanbhai's mobile phone.

It was sent by Atul - "the list is leaked sir, - here it is attached. Fortunately your name is not on it"