Ashis Ray, A well-known Journalist and Analyst from London, was interviewing Chanez Mensous, a lawyer for the NGO Asso Sherpa based in Paris, the latter is a criminalist investigating the contract between Dassault and India for 36 Rafale fighter jets.
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| Chanez Mensous (Left) And Ashis Ray (Right) | National Herald |
ASHIS RAY: Would you introduce your organization to our Indian audience?
CHANEZ MENSOUS: Established in 2001, Asso Sherpa advocates for victims of economic crimes and seeks to fill the gaps in the impunity arising from globalization. We seek to hold French corporations accountable for their actions, insisting they abide by the rule of law and not just within their own borders.
ASHIS RAY: Your NGO approached the French anti-corruption authority in 2018 and 2019 regarding the Rafale deal but garnered no investigation. In your opinion, why was that?
CHANEZ MENSOUS: Before the recent revelations from Media part, we were not in a position to know why our complaint had not led to an investigation. We had given evidence to the public prosecutor and thought we would be met with challenges on political grounds considering the sensitivity of the case.
However, the fact that the case supposedly did not merit examination laid bare the gap in France's anti-corruption legislation.
ASHIS RAY: Except that you're not going to allow yourself to be silenced anymore-this has been made clear in your formal court complaint. Why do you think this time it is going to work?
CHANEZ MENSOUS: We believe there is a strong case. There is compelling evidence that supports our prior findings, backed up by Media part's investigation itself. And in India right now, this is drawing increasing attention, which we hope will sway the Indian judiciary into taking the case with the seriousness that it warrants.
ASHIS RAY: Do the new findings from Media part make your case stronger?
CHANEZ MENSOUS: Certainly. It clarifies a few ambiguities and clarifies the story, presenting new evidence that would fortify our demands in court.
ASHIS RAY: Your one allegation accuses that there were "potential kickbacks to an intermediary in India". Could you elaborate on that?
CHANEZ MENSOUS-That's the fact behind Media part's most recent disclosure on a middleman. There are many questionable elements of the deal that merit investigation.
ASHIS RAY-You mean that if Dassault had knowledge that a middleman was involved in dishonest dealings in view of his actions, it can amount to a crime under the French law?
CHANEZ MENSOUS-Yes would be the case, should the intermediary be snooping around the corridors of influence within the Indian government.
ASHIS RAY-This is why Dassault sought to abandon the anti-corruption clause from the agreement?
CHANEZ MENSOUS-I am unable to comment directly on that; however, it seems a reasonable conclusion.
ASHIS RAY-What likely course will be followed, and how soon-do you foresee your case proceeding before the courts?
CHANEZ MENSOUS-The timing is highly uncertain in these cases and can sometimes stretch over several years. But we believe in the judicial system and believe that there are good grounds for the judge to act on the matter.
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