In their upcoming publication, journalists Rashid Kidwai and Prakash Patra meticulously unravel the intricate details of the 1971 Nagarwala Scam, drawing from an extensive array of primary sources, including police records, press reports, and depositions before the Justice Jaganmohan Reddy Commission. Titled ‘The Scam That Shook a Nation: The Nagarwala Scandal,’ this authoritative work delves deep into the notorious incident that captured the nation’s attention.
The book deciphers the events that followed a certain phone call from then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s office to the chief cashier at the Parliament Street branch of the State Bank of India. Rs 60 lakhs were handed over to the stranger posing as the PM’s courier, assumingly for operations in East Pakistan. The entire transaction was a ruse orchestrated by Rustom Sohrab Nagarwala, a former army captain who orchestrated the heist.
Regarded as one of the biggest scandals in India’s history, the narrative presented in this book meticulously deciphers not only the initial events but also the subsequent fallout. This includes a flawed police investigation, judicial mishandling, the enigmatic deaths of key individuals involved, and the perplexing silence of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which spawned numerous conspiracy theories.
Published by HarperCollins India, ‘The Scam That Shook a Nation: The Nagarwala Scandal’ will be released on 8 July on SoftCover, ThePrint’s online venue to launch non-fiction books.
The authors – both journalists, promise a compelling narrative detailing the events of the scam and those that unfolded after. Prakash Patra began his career as a crime journalist with the National Herald and then went on to hold senior positions at Hindustan Times, and The Telegraph, among others. He is a celebrated political journalist and the recipient of a national award. He has also contributed to movie scripts.
Rasheed Kidwai, a seasoned journalist and a visiting fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, tracks government, politics, community affairs, and Hindi cinema. His previous works include Sonia: A Biography, 24 Akbar Road, Ballot, Neta Abhineta: Bollywood Star Power in Indian Politics, The House of Scindias, My Life in Indian Politics, and Bharat Ke Pradhanmantri.
Kidwai and Patra’s collaboration promises a compelling narrative that not only chronicles a significant historical event but also sheds light on its enduring implications for Indian society and governance.