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23 August 2024 at 4:29:04 pm

Tainted Mandate

Mumbai’s narcotics enforcement apparatus has once again found itself in the dock. The booking of Amit Ghawate, the Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) Mumbai zonal director, in connection with a suicide case is not merely an aberration. It is the latest episode in a pattern that raises uncomfortable questions about the conduct, culture and accountability of one of the country’s most visible law-enforcement agencies. Ghawate, a 2008-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, now faces serious charges...

Tainted Mandate

Mumbai’s narcotics enforcement apparatus has once again found itself in the dock. The booking of Amit Ghawate, the Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) Mumbai zonal director, in connection with a suicide case is not merely an aberration. It is the latest episode in a pattern that raises uncomfortable questions about the conduct, culture and accountability of one of the country’s most visible law-enforcement agencies. Ghawate, a 2008-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, now faces serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including abetment to suicide, extortion and criminal conspiracy. The case stems from the death of Gurunath Chichkar, a Navi Mumbai builder who allegedly shot himself in April 2025. According to investigators, a suicide note pointed to sustained harassment by NCB officials pursuing his son, Naveen Chichkar, an alleged kingpin of a transnational drug syndicate. It speaks volumes when a premier anti-narcotics agency, tasked with dismantling criminal networks that span continents, now finds one of its senior-most officers accused of tactics that resemble the very coercion and illegality it is meant to combat. This is not the first time the Mumbai arm of the NCB has courted controversy. The tenure of Sameer Wankhede, Ghawate’s predecessor, was marked by headline-grabbing drug busts and equally explosive allegations. Wankhede’s tenure, once hailed as emblematic of a no-nonsense crackdown, now reads more like a cautionary tale in institutional overreach. His high-profile raids, most notably the Cordelia cruise ship case, initially projected the image of an officer unafraid to take on Bollywood, business elites and political networks alike. Yet, as allegations of extortion surfaced, alongside claims of selective leaks and procedural improprieties, the narrative began to fray. Investigations by central agencies into his conduct cast a long shadow over cases that were once trumpeted as breakthroughs. The recurrence of such controversies suggests something deeper than individual misconduct. It points to structural incentives that reward spectacle over substance. The Chichkar case is instructive. Law enforcement agencies often argue that pressure is an unavoidable tool when dealing with hardened criminal networks. Yet the line between legitimate investigation and harassment is a thin one. If the allegations against Ghawate hold, they indicate not just a failure of judgement but a systemic tolerance for excess. Such excess is particularly dangerous in the context of India’s stringent narcotics laws. There is also a broader institutional cost. Public trust in enforcement agencies is a fragile commodity. When successive Mumbai NCB chiefs become synonymous with scandal, it risks turning the agency’s regional office into a byword for controversy rather than competence. The NCB’s mandate is both necessary and daunting. But effectiveness in such a battle depends not only on aggression but on credibility. An agency that appears compromised cannot command the cooperation it needs from the public or from other institutions. In the war on drugs, the state must occupy the moral high ground. When its agents descend into controversy, that ground begins to shift irreversibly.

Imran Khan’s Fall from Grace

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Imran Khan’s Fall from Grace

Imran Khan, once hailed as Pakistan’s most charismatic and resilient leader now finds himself in a position unprecedented for a man of his stature.

The former Prime Minister of Pakistan, once known for his unyielding spirit and fierce determination, now shows signs of strain. Imprisoned and facing numerous charges, Khan appears to be a shadow of the leader who once inspired millions.

Khan’s recent meeting with journalists revealed a man who is a shell of his former self. Once confident and commanding, his body now shows a sense of unease and agitation. Those who met him describe a waning spirit, a stark change for a leader once known for his steadfastness in adversity.

The journalists described Khan as a man who is aware that his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), is losing its once-iron grip on the nation’s imagination―a realisation that visibly shook him.

The PTI, once a magnet for massive crowds and inspired loyalty among its supporters, is now struggling. The much-hyped rally scheduled for August 22 in Islamabad, was embarrassingly cancelled due to a lack of public interest. Khan, in a bid to save face, claimed that the rally was called off to avoid potential violence. In a sign of growing desperation, Khan rescheduled the rally for September 8 and directed his party leaders to overcome any obstacles. This defiant stance is typical of Khan’s confrontational style, and his public directives highlight his insecurity about his party’s ability to mobilise support.

While Khan outwardly appears calm and composed, the multiple cases against him and his time in jail have left him isolated and struggling with loneliness. Even in this difficult situation, he remains in the headlines, thanks to his uncanny ability to stay in the public’s eye. Khan recently made headlines by applying for the University of Oxford Chancellorship, a move initially dismissed as a rumor but confirmed by his spokesman, Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari. As an Oxford alumnus, Khan would be the first Asian to take the role. Many see this bid as a strategic play to leverage his international profile against Pakistan’s establishment, a move that has kept him prominently in the media spotlight.

The political landscape in Pakistan is deeply divided. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, in his second term, has failed to address critical issues including unemployment, soaring inflation, and deteriorating law and order. His administration’s inability to deliver on its promises has only deepened the public’s disillusionment, leading to growing nostalgia for Khan’s past leadership.

Shahbaz Sharif’s government is a source of frustration for the Pakistani people and a cause for concern for the country’s military. Historically, the military has shaped Pakistan’s political trajectory, stepping in when civilian governments falter. The military reportedly is growing uneasy about the government’s performance especially Sharif’s inability to stabilize the country and mend relationships with key neighbors, particularly India. Additionally, its deteriorating ties with Afghanistan and Iran have left Pakistan increasingly isolated. Even China, Pakistan’s longstanding ally, has expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s policies, a worrying sign given the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to the country’s economic future.

It is within this context of political turmoil and international isolation that Imran Khan remains a potent force. Despite his legal troubles and the challenges facing his party, Khan’s popularity endures. For millions of Pakistanis, his tenure as Prime Minister is seen as a time of relative stability and hope, a stark contrast to the current administration’s ineptitude. This perception has kept Khan’s political base intact, even as his party faces an uphill battle in the coming months.

However, Khan’s ability to navigate the current political landscape is far from guaranteed. The PTI’s diminishing support, coupled with the increasing pressure from the establishment, raises questions about Khan’s long-term strategy. His recent moves, including the application for the Oxford Chancellorship, suggest a leader willing to explore unconventional avenues to maintain his relevance. But whether these tactics will translate into a successful political comeback remains to be seen.

Pakistan’s political future is more uncertain than ever. Imran Khan’s journey from cricketing legend to political maverick has been extraordinary. Still, as he faces the toughest challenge of his career, the question remains: Can he once again defy the odds and reclaim his place at the helm of Pakistani politics, or is this the beginning of the end for a once unstoppable leader?

Khan’s story is a testament to the complexities of power and the unpredictable nature of political life in Pakistan. His rise, driven by charisma, populism, and a genuine desire for change, now faces the realities of personal and political challenges, raising the possibility that his time may be running out.

Imran Khan is a beacon of hope for his supporters, and a polarizing figure for detractors, whose ambitions have often clouded his judgment. As the nation watches, the world is left to wonder: What will Imran Khan’s next move be? And more importantly, what does it mean for the future of Pakistan? The coming months will be critical not only for Imran Khan but for Pakistan as a whole. The decisions made during this period will shape the country’s trajectory for years. Whether Khan emerges victorious or is consigned to the annals of history as a fallen leader, one thing is certain: The story of Imran Khan is far from over.

(The writer is a senior jounalist based in Islamabad. Views personal)

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