Caring a damn for time-tested social values of honesty, law-abiding and contentment has brought Agarwal to this catastrophe which must act as a deterrent to others wishing to over-ride law, avers PROF. M.A. HAQUE
Prabhu Shankar Agarwal, owner of Prabhuji brand of namkin and other popular products was convicted for an attempt to murder. His present address is Room No. 6 of Cell No. 14 in Alipore Central Jail in Kolkata instead of his palatial building to the comforts of which he has been used to. He has been allotted garden work by the jail authorities treating him on “unskilled” labour. He has been convicted in a case dating back to the year 2005. As per rules of the jail, this man worth thousands of crores shall get a daily wage of Rs 18 only, an amount which is less than the cost of one piece of his sweet products. How do the times change!
The Calcutta High Court on February 3 admitted an appeal against the verdict of the Sessions Court given on January 31.
POPULARITY OF HIS PRODUCTS
Agarwal has come to this sorry state because of his illegal and shameless criminal manoeuvring to get the tea shop of one Pramod Sharma (located at the entrance of his grand shop) vacated. Sharma was not willing to sell it to Agarwal for four lakhs which had been offered to him through an intermediary. Agarwal already had a flourishing business in namkin, snacks, sweets and other products. He had his network spread all over not only in India but also in many countries, particularly countries having sizable numbers of Indians. His establishments in the USA and European countries did brisk business as his product – popularly called Haldiram – was a guarantee for the quality of ingredients, hygiene, innovations and original taste.
PRESENT SHATTERED, FUTURE UNCERTAIN
Before this jail term, he was taking care of his business interests through meticulous planning, carefully nurturing relations with men who matter and also resorting to arm-twisting techniques to have his way. Now, as a part of rigorous imprisonment, he will be taking care of plants, watering them, planting new saplings, trimming bushes and other jobs related with gardening. Of the benumbing shock and shattering of his financial empire, of his daily wage entitlement of Rs 18, only Rs. 9 will be deposited in his account which will be opened in Indian Bank.
CRIMINAL MODUS OPERANDI
An experienced businessman, well-versed in the art of spinning money through any means, fair or fowl, he used to assess the worth of his adversary. He would often ask his business adversary what his price-tag was. This he did not only to other competing businessmen and obstructing government officials but even ministers wielding great authority in the government. Most of the times he was able to have his way. He had thus amassed a fortune running into thousands of crores of rupees. He had the guts to ask the then West Bengal Fire Minister in 2005 what his selling price was. The situation arose when the government officials closed his manufacturing units located at VIP Road for lack of observation of rules regarding safety of fire arrangements. Although this Minister said, “Out you go”, the very fact of his clout with money power speaks volumes of the seepage of corruption in official working where money makes the mare go.
His style of working involved engaging local goons to bring about tremendous pressure on his opponents to yield to his desires. He uses to adopt this technique when offer of money and other allurements failed to secure surrender of his adversary. He resorted to harsh methods when all his persuasion tactics did not succeed.
In fact, he was not prepared to have a situation where he was not in the driving seat. His ego had inflated to such a gigantic proportion where no matter rain, hair or storm, he would emerge victorious. Often people did submit to his will but then not all people are made of the same stuff. There are people who would lose their all by standing as a rock against any onslaught perceived to be unjust, against a usurper howsoever mighty or resourceful.
PRESENT CASE
The case which culminated in a sentence for a life term in prison revolves round the lucrative business prospects in Burra Bazar and Poste areas. This is the area where tea-shop owner Pramod Sharma hailing from UP had been running a small shop for quite some years. Agarwal considered it to be an eye-sore. The sight of this tea-shop did not go well with the costly establishment run under the name and style of “Haldiram” which catered to the taste of the elite. All persuasion having failed to have this shop under possession for its importance and location, Agarwal exploited the services of one Gopal Tiwari, who was a local goon and acted as his hitman. A large number of cases are registered against Tiwari with local police.
HITMAN’S RELATIONSHIP WITH AGARWAL
Tiwari, son of a priest who was engaged by the local people for religious rituals on auspicious occasions such as ‘puja’ had good acquaintance of the area but his desire to earn quick buck brought him into the company of band characters. Tiwari’s criminal activities caused 17 cases to be registered against him including one related to a murder.
In the instant case Pramod Sharma escaped the assassin’s bullet but other persons received injuries. During investigation of the case Tiwari admitted to have received from Agarwal Rs 2.5 Lakhs as ‘supari’ for eliminating Pramod Sharma. Hence the involvement of Prabhu Shankar Agarwal in the heinous crime.
LAW POUNCES ON CRIMINAL MULTI-BILLIONAIRE
The wheels of administration of criminal justice turned as per law and the life imprisonment was pronounced by the court. If we pause for a minute and conjure up images of Agarwal as a dynamic businessman achieving heights of fame for his delicious products, his criminal action of taking law into his own hands is most detestable and foolish. He had amassed wealth which could suffice for him and his several generations provided they did not ever estimate their money power and fall into the trap of greed and making a mockery of the law and order system. Caring a damn for time-tested social values of honesty, law-abiding and contentment has brought Agarwal to this catastrophe which must act as a deterrent to others wishing to over-ride law.