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AMWAY OFFICIALS ARREST: Stinks of conspiracy

29/5/2013

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The recent arrest of Amway India Enterprise’s top officials, by Kerala CB-CID(Economic Offences Wing) including chairman and managing director William S Pinckney, a US national and two other directors Sanjay Malhotra and Anshu Budhraja, has certainly embarked a stream of shock and worry among its officials, distributors and consumers. Moreover, the way certain Assamese electronic media channels has sensationalized the news, perhaps has given minor heart attacks to the ones associated with Amway.

It is to be noted that Amway India is a direct selling franchise marketing company operating in over 80 countries round the globe, with its head quarter situated in the Ada Michigan, U.S. Though news reports are claiming that the arrests have been made in regards to money laundering and chit funds associated with the company. However, analyzing the documents, company policy and other terms and conditions along with a proper introspection of the complete episode points the arrow in a total reverse manner and gives certain snippets of conspiracy.

Starting with the arrest of the Amway officials, all of them were in anticipatory bail in two cases filed in 2012 and they had gone to Calicut, Kerala before the Calicut Crime Branch to record their statements in an investigation with respect to the same case. However, when the officials reached Calicut, Police from Wayanad district arrived in Calicut with warrants in a case dating back to 2011 and arrested Mr. William S Pinckney and the other two other officials.

According to sources in Amway, the officials of Amway were always cooperating with Police by

providing all information and documents, they needed. A press release from Amway also claimed that, “The company management has always provided full cooperation and support in any investigation and so there was no any need to take any person in custody as Amway has always demonstrated and is law abiding corporate citizen.”

Sources claim that, in both the cases dated back to 2012 the police had informed Amway management about it and also all the officials against whom the allegations were slammed were under anticipatory bail. However, in this particular case of 2011 in which the arrests have been made, Wayanad Police had earlier neither issued any summons to the company or it officials to join the investigation nor was any information sought. This certainly indicates towards malafide intent of the Kerala police.

Secondly, another important matter that hasn’t managed to grab the attention of the mainstream media is that; back in 2011 a couple Sajeev Nair & Bindu Nair who had been heavily successful in Amway as Double diamonds and spreading the Amway business in Kerala and other southern states joined Monavie India, a chain marketing system after being paid a sum of 20-30 crore by Monavie. But, as a result of their breach of trust and dishonesty with Amway and unaccountability Sanjeev Nair was kicked out of Amway and in the later course of time he was also arrested by Kerala police after being accused of money laundering as an associate with Monavie India. Sources reveal that Sajeev with his political connections forced the Kerala Police to intervene with Amway operations and practically stopped the Amway workings, during 2012 when Amway offices were raided by the Kerala CB-CID (Economic offences wing).

Thirdly, the cases on the basis of which the arrests of William S Pinckney, Sanjay Malhotra and Anshu Budhraja were being made, was registered on 2012 by a housewife, Visalakshi in Kozhikode, who alleged that she had bought products worth Rs 3 lakh, but could not market them and incurred huge loss. But, according to the company policy if any authorized distributor of Amway purchases certain products, however in case that person is not satisfied with the decision of purchasing, there’s always a provision to return the purchased items within a period of one month. Also according to reports Visalakshi joined Amway India as an Independent Business Owner, back in 2002, so why after so many years i.e. on 2012 the need to register a case against Amway officials aroused. Also, Visalakshi allegations comes only after tainted Amway diamonds Sanjeev Nair was by evicted from the company, this fact too points a negative finger towards Sanjeev Nair and his motives.

Now, shifting focus to Assamese electronic media, certain Assamese media channels, including the most popular DY365 and 24 hours satellite channel of the state, has been featuring completely bogus news against Amway and trying to defame its status in the social sphere. According to the claims by the channel, Amway products are being sold at a higher rate than the actual price. But, if one visits the office can know the fact very clearly, that Amway products are never sold through any retail outlets, they are made available to the non ABOs only through Amway Distribution Centers situated at various cities. Also, products are sold only to the authorized ABOs, where after the purchase a computer generated receipt is given containing detailed description of the item purchased, cost, tax etc. The news channel’s claim regarding the sale of products at a higher rate is completely absurd, without any kind of evidence.

Though, all the arrested Amway officials have been granted bail by a Kerala court, however with the sudden apprehension of the top officials of a company with a turnover of over 2000 crore, during the last fiscal year, has certainly put black spots on the 50 year old organization’s image. Now, it would it would be interesting to watch out, what strategy the company plans against the conspirators and to get rid of the serious allegations against it.

Shamim Parveez Zakaria is an aspiring independent journalist working mainly in the online journalism arena. He writes on issues concerning the sociopolitical sphere . Shamim is also associated with numerous civil society organisations.


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Arvind Kejriwal releases 1st short list of AAP candidates for Delhi election

24/5/2013

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After lots of speculation the much awaited first shortlist of Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) for the upcoming Delhi Assembly election to be held in November this year was released here in Delhi today. The list for a total of 12 assemble constituencies was released by Arvind Kejriwal himself at a press conference at the Constitution Club, Delhi. Addressing the press meet, Arvind said, “A total of 106 persons had initially applied for candidature and a candidate screening committee was constituted co-chaired by Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh”. He further added, “The prime objective of the screening committee was to investigate about the social background of the candidates and ensure that they don’t have any past criminal records or allegations. The screening committee also ensured that no two candidates from the same family get enlisted”.

Among the 106 applied the screening committee selected a total of 44 candidates and the popular faces that flashed were of AAP national executive members Shazia IIlmi, from the R.K. Puram and Manish Sisodia from Patparganj constituencies. Briefing further about the candidates and the selection procedure Kejriwal said, “We have candidates from varied professional backgrounds including IIT engineers, lawyers, journalists, former defense personnel etc. and the most interesting part is that shortlist also consists of some former congress and BJP workers, whose screening was done with utmost care to ensure that they previously maintained a spotless social background and were not being chased out by their respective parties for unethical work.”

From each constituency there are 3-5 probable candidates and the complete list will be on the official website of AAP for 15 days and Arvind asked the people to have a glance at the names appearing in the list and inform AAP if there’s any information or records that unfit them for candidature with proper evidence. If credible evidence of any wrong doing is received against any of the candidates, their names will be taken off the shortlist. It is to be noted that AAP had disclosed in its candidate selection process a few weeks back, and after 15 days from now there would be debate among the candidates in their respective constituencies and lastly the final candidate would be selected on the basis of preferential voting by the active volunteers of that particular region.

Replying to media queries Arvind quoted, “The final list of the first short list would come up by 15thJune’2013 and within the next one week from now the second short list is likely to be announced and the final process is expected to be completed by the end of July”

Why the final preferential voting will only be done by AAP volunteers and why the common non-volunteers are not included, is perhaps also an important question that Arvind much introspect on.

Certainly, on papers the selection procedure seems to be very much innovative and constructive one, but at the same time it’s challenging too. However, how it is actually executed will be an important thing to look into in the due course of time. Moreover, how the voters actually anticipate to the process will be interesting to find out.

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THE DEATH OF A DEAD MAN: An introspection

3/5/2013

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Living behind the bars for 22 long years serving a death sentence pronounced years ago and the hopes being pardoned and going back to his native country dying each day is certainly one of the most painful and dreaded trauma that one can face in his/her lifetime.

Sarabjit Singh who was convicted of terrorism and spying by Pakistani court and was tried and convicted by The Supreme Court of Pakistan for a series of bomb attacks in Lahore and Faisalabad that killed 14 bystanders, in 1990, finally took his last breathe on 2nd May’2013 at 12:45am at the Jinnah Hospital, Lahore after he was attacked by fellow prisoners in the Central jail Lahore (Kot Lakhpat jail).

With Sarabjit’s death there’s seems to be a permanent lock on the Indo-Pak political diplomacy and round of peace talks has perhaps closed its eyes forever, further worsening the relation between the two countries..

As the name suggests PAKISTAN which signifies ‘Land of Pure’, however the course of action of this country and the way they have introspected every situation has certainly contradicted the name. Sarabjit’s case was another live and strong example of that. This is obviously not a stereotyped opinion, but certain fact clearly indicates it.

Starting from the attack on Sarabjit when in prison, reports suggest that the attack on him was carried out using bricks, sharp metal sheets, iron rods and blades. This certainly gives a big reason to think and gives birth to serious suspicion. Over the years Sarabjit has popped up as renowned figure among the world diplomats and the perhaps everyone is well aware how sensitive the matter was, so how come Pakistan didn’t even take care of the minimal security measures for Sarabjit. Moreover, it’s really shocking how fatal articles like blade, sharp metals, iron rod etc. were available for the attack.

Secondly, if we move a few steps back, after the 2001 Parliament Attack Convict, Afzal Guru was executed, Sarabjit Singh was continuously threatened, and finally he is attacked and killed. This certainly gives a huge reason to worry. Further according to the recent news after Sarabjit’s body was returned to India and a second autopsy was being conducted by a group of doctors, they were shocked to find that his vital organs like kidney, heart, stomach etc. were missing. These organs are of utmost importance to find the cause of death, but why Pakistan didn’t want India to know Sarabjit’s cause of death, only they can give the answer to it.

A British lawyer, Jas Uppal, campaigning for his release, pointed to several problems with the prosecution in the trial. Some of them were
His identity was never verified or proved in court and no forensic evidence was provided at his trial to link him to the bomb attacks. Secondly, the trial was conducted in English, whereas Sarabjit does not speak or understand English, and an interpreter was not provided.

In the past there had been numerous instances of Pakistan back stabbing India, and this one too perhaps falls in that category. An Indian prisoner is attacked and killed inside the prison, but as of now the officials themselves doesn’t have any clearly information even about the number of attackers. Though reports suggest that, two were arrested but official confirmation still waited. These certainly raise serious questions on Pakistan’s accountability and off course mentality.

Sarabjit left forever, but who is actually responsible for his death. Is it Sarabjit himself as under the influence of alcohol, he unknowingly crossed the border? Is it the government of India who could have done more to bring back Sarabjit or it is Pakistan for obvious? One is still longing for the answer.

Someone have very rightly pointed out, that death was perhaps more peaceful for Sarabjit as rather than dying each day for 22years, closing the eyes forever was far better. In Pakistan the life term imprisonment is of maximum 14 years, but Sarabjit was serving in jail for 22 long years. Certainly his hopes had died long back; it was only his body that left for the heavenly journey.

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