The problem of white collar crime - Corrupt practices - Ways and means to tackle effectively!

The factors inscribed in regard to corrupt practices and with that of WCCs are correlated and linked with the economic activity and advancement of science and technology, clubbed with the power and politics. They, in first phase, emerges on its own, through one or a centralized electives, carves and crop up through mismanagement, ignorance, over confidence, dependency, over reliability, uncalled for rewards, praise, underlying assumptions, and so on.

The characteristic trend of the white collar crime can be best equated with that of F.Engels’ words-‘it is self evident that where things and their inter relations are conceived, not as fixed, but as changing, their mental images, the ideas are likewise subject to change and transformation, as they are not encapsulated in rigid definitions, but are developed in their historical or logical process of formation.’

The then Union Minister, Mr. P.Chidamabaram as back as in 1988,while inaugurating the second annual vigilance officer’s conference at Chennai said—‘the virus of corruption appeared to envelop the whole fabric of society and when some people tended to be corrupt, even the honest people became suspect’.( The Indian Express- Daily News Paper- Hyderabad Edition, dated 22nd March,1988).

The age old proverb continues to be up spring - “While honesty knock and waits at the door, the bribery enters in.”

It is talk of the day in general that when news surface on some white collar criminality, every one denounce it and make hue and cry for strict action against the defaulters and so on. From the next day on wards they forget about the issues, and put their sight on some other matter of importance.

Its unabated trend as is emerging in all spheres of life under the guise of lacunae in the projection of evidence or through investigation loop holes. It is being protected and safeguarded by the vested interests during its official transactions for material or wrongful gains by way of inter dependence, and easy way of penetration into such agencies.

These crimes are not generally located or identified by general public and even by others who have no access to the official dealings. Being a demy-official and secret in transactions, it is spear heading by overcoming the police net work and other Law Enforcement agencies by sociopaths.

It takes its shape through learned behavior, having a change and chance to leap when social status and position permits. It survives under active support of clientele it serves, with empiricism having authority and power. It is such a clandestine activity which do not easily attract the attention of the machinery or of the honest superiors unless and until its operation is leaked out through some source.

‘The Economic and Political Weekly-Annual Number-1967’- quotable quote:

The paper quoted that the question really is whether the present disorders and discontents are the prelude to a deepening political crises or only a passing phase. Anyone who remembers the post independence history of India; one cannot honestly say that Indian politics are moving smoothly and tidily even when the Nehru era was at its peak and any party that has been in power as long as the congress party has been in bound to become feeble, corrupt and demoralized.

It’s inner meaning to be applied openly with broad mindedness to fit to the present contest of white collar criminality.

The white collar crime generates through super derogative official actions concerning to an issue or project, and emanate at a particular time. At least one official is always involved in enumerating for its emergence through ante room. It is not that easy to read the minds of these officials, unless you join them, (at least as a decoy, and or act as a secret agent or dope).

It is very difficult to find out the plan of initiation and action before it is worked out. It is a recognized arrangement and or an agreement between the vested interests; of course one should have high social standards, respect, domain, status and what not. 

Once the operation begin, they shall not have time to re generate to think of its side effects as the material or wrongful gain pour in and they are caught in a vicious circle.

Is there any remedy or resolution to solve the problem of white collar criminality? Certainly, one can say yes. There should be a favorable and positive answer.

Of course, the crime and disorders in the society attract the Law and the Law enforcement agencies. But what about the white collar crime, which is independent of itself. 

The authority in power has to analyze as to how and why it is living and surviving from within itself, and why it is even withstanding the pressures of the society; why the Law enforcement agencies are unable to tackle it effectively and efficiently; why it is grooming forward without any sudden death or ineffectiveness. For all these questions and problems, sincere and honest answers are its solution.

Bring the honest top officials to the fore front. Change the pattern of selection of the top brass and other designated jobs. 

Select sincere, good, and efficient personalities from all fields including the public and private industries; make coordinated committees; the chartered accountants, the doctors, the engineers, the bank officials are the officials who can also lay hand and curb this menace at the beginning. There shall be a separate department by itself. 

The Intelligence departments and other co-related Vigilance branches of the Central Government and of the States, the Economic Offences Wing, the Customs and Central Excise Intelligence wings, the Narcotic and Drugs control wings are some of the citations which are dealing with the specific nature of offences. 

These are supplemental to bring down the economic offences. But, it is opined that they cannot eradicate the so called white collar crimes which take its bud from within and emerges surreptitiously unless curbed at the beginning itself.

It is still opined that by a special Act or otherwise, there shall be a separate department at the Centre under the exclusive control and supervision of its Chairman and the Chief Director General and he shall be answerable to the Parliament and to submit annual report. 

Like in the IPS officers’ cadre transfers, seniority and promotions, the personnel from one Central Government Uniformed Force shall be subjected to transfer to the other Force, so that there can be no ambiguity in their seniority and promotions, being centralized services in India. Let there be unified and all-to-learn methodology as that of Military Armed Force.

As seen from the present set up there are many a number of Uniformed Armed Forces ( Other than the Military Forces) some working under the exclusively control and command of different Ministries/Departments with its own set up of Rules, selection process and procedure, transfers, seniority, and promotional channel. 

As and when different situations erupt, the Government engraves a separate style of Police Force to preserve internal tranquillity and peace using the so called police as a more effective instrument under their command.

But it is unfortunate that the unhappy reflections of ‘Master and Servant’ obedience, charged with pessimism, forgetting the reality that governments have come and gone but the police still has to manage their duties to preserve the macabre heritage and thereby ignore the message of the Mahatma Gandhi that - Service without humility is selfishness, and even today there is an iron curtain drawn between the Police and the people in this country.

The impression of the people that they are denuded of their fundamental right of approaching the police shall be erased by exhibiting love and affection by the Police in their routine duties. Duty devoid of self imposed discipline and devotion, brings disrespect and develops hatred toward any organization. There must be mutual accommodation and understating between Statutory Police Forces and a democratically established State.