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'Are you an Indian, then just don't talk'

''Are you an Indian, then just don't talk.''

What was that, again?

''Just ... don't ... talk.'' Harshad Gandhi is clearly a very upset man.

He's been questioned by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence time and again. They are interested in him because the North Korean ship carrying what are believed to be missile parts landed at an Indian port because it had to unload 13,036 metric tonnes of sugar for Gandhi's firm, ACT Shipping.

The consignee too a family concern, Vishal & Aditya Exporters of Bangkok. Gandhi is naturally very worried that anything he says may be used against him and that the DRI may to dredge up some uncomfortable things from his past.

''People in Korea may read it,'' is one reason he has to avoid being quoted. But he is clearly more worried about the attention he's drawing from the DRI. He has an air of injured innocence when he says that the sugar was not his own.

''It is for India,'' he says, asserting that he is the cause the market price for a kilogram of sugar is Rs 15 and not Rs 16. No doubt, he sees the attention a bit of a betrayal.

Customs officials not involved with the investigation refer to him a little callously as Harshad Mehta and joke among themselves that for any question, they should call (7****) -- Gandhi's office number.

Gandhi said he had no time since he had been called by the DRI. But when it was pointed out that he had just an hour ago met the director general, DRI, A K Pande, he replied, ''The DRI calls me every hour.''

When quizzed further, Gandhi lost his patience. ''If you ask more questions, I will have to tell the Customs people,'' he said. He will have to anyway.

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