Technically speaking, Bangladesh lawmaker Anwarul Amin is missing … presumed dead. India’s laws do not acknowledge a person being deceased till his remains, in whatever form, are found. With that as the case, it belies all that those arrested have said and regurgitated.
It has similarities to the Jamal Khasoggi case where remains of his body supposedly chopped up into pieces and disposed of in bags were never recovered, or if so, never really talked about. As a result, with the gruesome event having happened in the confines of the Saudi Arabian Embassy, thereby off limits to Turkey’s laws, went untried, barring a shambles of an internal Saudi investigation and action thereof.
Amin’s family are to be tested for DNA samples which will then be matched with the bits and pieces recovered by Indian Police.
Thankfully, the running commentary by the media trying to piece together a picture that combines Mafia leadership tiff over gold smuggling and an apparent political leadership tussle has abated to an extent. If the information reportedly divulged by those apprehended is anything to go by, admission of guilt and the masterminds have both been more or less established. And that’s precisely where the supplementary issues must be investigated. There are so many ponderables. That Amin was not following protocol of informing the speaker’s office before travelling is important, but minor in the figure of things.
How a person, in all likelihood involved in gold smuggling, gets to be repeatedly nominated as an MP is a more relevant issue. Just as important is the growing number of accused or abettors that are likewise involved. More so, given they are office bearers in local Awami League politics.
How a person, in all likelihood involved in gold smuggling, gets to be repeatedly nominated as an MP is a more relevant issue
And then again comes the matter of declared and undeclared wealth of such individuals whose families too benefit from such income for lavish lifestyles. It raises the question again as to why people’s representatives, those responsible for law-making, are reluctant to declare their income and assets -- or in case of being repeatedly elected, to explain how their income grows to mind boggling levels.
They’re the ones that should be setting examples both in living according to their means; moral values that should and will bring back the young generation shying away from politics to guide them back to it in its original form and intent. People of all vocations including businessmen should be encouraged to be in politics, provided they are truly representative.
The media has done a sterling job of exposing apparent flight of capital and money laundering where the finger often points to public representatives. That these brave attempts aren’t followed up by the relevant authorities is where it goes so wrong. From every platform imaginable, almost every list of promises to voters, tackling smuggling and drug trafficking features high. In most cases that’s where they remain, on a list that’s for public consumption.
It’s not unusual that lawmakers or their children can be involved in misdemeanours -- they’re human beings too. It’s only accountability that is somehow missing -- such as the example of the most powerful man in the world seeing his son Hunter Biden found guilty of wrongful arms purchase; or that of Margaret Thatcher’s son convicted of traffic violation. In both cases there was no pressure from the top whatsoever for any reprieve.
Border smuggling will probably never not be on the dark side of economic theory and the demand-supply chain. But the tentacles of drug and gold smuggling have gone beyond tolerable levels -- so easy has it become via those willing to sell their souls. It’s when the question mark hovers over those delegated to control matters that it becomes alarming.
Mahmudur Rahman is a writer, columnist, broadcaster, and communications specialist.
