Anything To Declare, Mr Verma?
The arrest of the Central Board of Excise & Customs chairman has revealed the rot that has set in the premier revenue- collection authority. An inside story of his assets, and rise to position of power. Plus: The sex and smuggling controversy arising from his dubious links with Uzbek nationals.

The Silk Route
The Customs played an active role in a smuggling racket by Uzbek couriers that could have compromised the nation's security.

Rites Of Passage Despite stringent internal controls, the CBEC is one of the most sullied departments in the country.

The Earth Citizen
The former United States president returns to India to share the sorrows of quake-hit Gujarat.

In Quest Of Numbers
There's a scramble for winning combinations, from caste-based alliances in Tamil Nadu to political pragmatism in Bengal and Assam.

Green And Bear It
The Delhi Government's complacency leads to a bumpy ride for commuters.

Free At Last
Removal of quantitative restrictions on all imports will transform the Indian market like never before.

CAPLOOKS

Quota Capers

Delhi: It is not unusual for Congress leaders close to Sonia Gandhi to disguise their wishes as her diktat. Last week, at the behest of Kerala stalwart K. Karunakaran, OSD in Sonia's office P.P. Madhavan pressured AICC observer P. Shivshankar to include Karunakaran's daughter Padmaja as a candidate from Chalakudi in the coming assembly polls. Told it was madam's desire, Shivshankar promptly rubberstamped it, little knowing that in Kerala there is no such thing as a 10 Janpath quota. The epilogue: Madhavan was pulled up and Padmaja's name struck off the list.

While The Presidency's On

Delhi: The Foreign Office is keeping its fingers crossed on a possible embarrassment while receiving Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, who is expected in India later this year to receive an honorary doctorate from Visvabharati University. Facing corruption charges back home, Wahid's fate as president currently hangs in the balance. He was personally invited to India by Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee when he visited Jakarta in February. It is doubtful if Vajpayee can return Wahid's hospitality as his official guest.

Words, Digital Camera, Action

Delhi: Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj, like most politicians, is not one to pass up the chance to preside over even the most mundane of functions. Last week, it was the ITC Digital Film Festival that she was invited to inaugurate. She waxed eloquent on the merits of digital movies. But it was soon evident that Sushma doesn't appreciate all that she preaches. When the opening sequence of the inaugural film-a Swedish one-showed a middle-aged couple prancing around in bed, she promptly got up and left.

Netting The Big Fish?

Mumbai: Politicos are finally waking up to the power of the worldwide web to fire cyber salvos at their political opponents. BJP leader Nitin Gadkari launched a website called mithaichor.com in Mumbai, dedicated to exposing graft within the ruling Congress-NCP coalition Government. Political cyberwars have finally arrived.

MetroScape

Rock Solid
Here's the big truth for those who doubted the band's durability: Deep Purple is still together--and after 33 years of full-detonation rocking.
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Looking Glass

Delhi Exhibition:
Ghislaine Aarsse Prins

Delhi Restaurant:
Art Diva Cafe

Mumbai Bar:
Starboard Bar