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Sheela Bhatt in New Delhi
A top-ranking officer of the Central Bureau of Investigation has gone to Canada to investigate matters relating to K Padmanabh alias KP, allegedly the financial backbone of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.
The visit is a continuation of the CBI's much delayed and so far unsuccessful effort to uncover the conspiracy behind the assassination of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on May 20, 1991.
Joint Director R N Kaul flew to Canada and Sweden last week to check on the status of the letters rogatory sent by the Indian government to the two countries.
Confirming Kaul's visit, a CBI spokesman said, "We have sent LRs to 16 countries asking about KP's activities. He was seen last in Sweden. We have some documents of his bank transactions in Sweden. But before we could alert the Swedish authorities he flew out."
KP is alleged to be the chief financier of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, one of the main accused in Gandhi's murder. The government believes KP financed the assassination as well.
A commission headed by Justice Milap Chand Jain was set up after the assassination to inquire into the political conspiracy behind it. To follow up on its findings, a multi-disciplinary monitoring agency was constituted in December 1998. The CBI is the controlling agency of the MDMA, which includes the Intelligence Bureau, the income-tax department and the Enforcement Directorate. Kaul heads the body.
The Jain Commission recommended an investigation into the LTTE's finances, controversial 'godman' Chandraswami's financial dealings and their link, if any, with Gandhi's assassination in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.
The MDMA is also looking into the LTTE's presence in Tamil Nadu and KP's connections there.
The CBI has followed his trail through Thailand, Sweden and Australia. In Australia, acquaintances admitted on questioning that KP had stayed with them, but denied any knowledge of his activities.
KP owns a number of companies through which he is believed to finance the LTTE. His base is in Sri Lanka and Singapore, according to the CBI.
Sources in the CBI agreed that if KP was arrested it would be a huge breakthrough, but said it was unlikely to happen.
A senior officer admitted, "Frankly we are wasting money and energy on the investigation. We are groping in the dark without any progress."
The MDMA's term is to expire in June 2002.
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