In the recently concluded parliamentary debate on the Lokpal Bill the only concrete issue relevant to corruption was raised by Mr. Ram Jethmalani representing the BJP. He was shouted down. Sadly enough, no member took up the issue he raised. Even more sadly, Mr. Jethmalani himself did not carry his argument to its logical end to elaborate on the full implications of the official fraud which he had highlighted.

Mr. Jethmalani pointed out the brazen distortion by the government in signing the international treaty related to illegal bank accounts. The government agreed in its treaty with foreign governments that full secrecy would be maintained over all illegal bank accounts held in the past. Information would be exchanged only in regard to illegal bank accounts discovered in the future. After raising this crucial issue Mr. Jethmalani instead of describing what in practical terms this meant, joined the political herd to demand that the Lokpal Bill which is a mirage to end corruption be passed.

Consider how the government’s curious provision related to secrecy of past bank accounts can be exploited by corrupt politicians. All that even the most corrupt politician having numerous illegal foreign bank accounts would need to do is to go abroad and close down each and every single such account. After that the money realized from the closure of accounts could be diverted to investment in real estate or in commodities or even in diamonds. Admittedly, to conduct this exercise would require time and personal attention. Well, cannot a corrupt leader for personal reasons take time off and go abroad for a month or more to conclude his business?

This glaring possibility has been deliberately overlooked by the government. How could this have been stopped? Even if for argument’s sake Mr. Anna Hazare’s version of the Jan Lokpal had been created it could have done nothing to stop the government’s chicanery. The executive can sign international treaties and Parliament may criticize it but cannot override it. The Supreme Court can block it only if it rules that in some manner that treaty violates existing law. It is only the President of India who is under oath to preserve and protect the Law and Constitution, who as the Supreme Commander of the armed forces is ultimately responsible for national security, who along with the two Houses is part of the Indian Parliament, who exercises executive power either directly or through officers subordinate to him, in whose pleasure any Minister may retain office, who has the right to direct the Council of Minister to take up any aspect which has not been addressed by a Minister - has the power and authority to prevent the government from signing an international treaty.

Mr. Jethmalani and the rest of our worthy politicians should stop chasing the fraudulent Lokpal mirage and deal with reality if they are genuinely serious about tackling corruption.