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.

COVER STORY: B.P. VERMA

Verma's Riches

# An apartment in the Police Cooperative Society, Salt Lake, Kolkata.
Value: Rs 8 lakh*

A DDA flat in Kalkaji Extension, Delhi
Value: Rs 3 lakh

Investment in the membership of a Noida housing society.
Value: Rs 80,000

Hotel Moon Maharani

Investment in the firms Jubilee Enterprises (P) Ltd and Jubilee Medicare, Delhi and Prastuti
Construction, Kanpur.
Value: Rs 9.5 lakh

Investment in Dighaul Co (India) Pvt Ltd.
Value: Rs 15 lakh

FDRS, UTI, NSCS LIC policies.
Value: Rs 25 lakh

Household items at HUDCO
Place residence.
Value: Rs 16 lakh

Investment in the name of son Siddharth in partnership firm Indus Global.
Value: Rs 2 lakh

Jewellery
Value: Rs 24 lakh

Cash (recovered from HUDCO Place residence and Siddharth's office).
Value: 2.85 lakh

Foreign currency.
Value: Rs 67,000

UNDER CBI INVESTIGATION

Gurgaon farmhouse

Hotel Moon Maharani, Nainital.
Value: Rs 18 crore

Farmhouse on Delhi-Gurgaon border in frontman Mohan Gupta's name. Value: Rs 2 crore

*CBI estimates

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.
more...

Looking Glass

Delhi Exhibition:
Ghislaine Aarsse Prins

Delhi Restaurant:
Art Diva Cafe

Mumbai Bar:
Starboard Bar