In Depth: 7 Congress Scams That Left a Lasting Impact on India

The Bofors Scandal (1980s)

The infamous Bofors scandal involved alleged kickbacks in the procurement of artillery guns from Bofors. It tarnished the reputation of the Indian National Congress and sparked widespread public outcry.

2G Spectrum Scam (2008)

The 2G spectrum scam, estimated to be worth billions, involved irregularities in the allocation of spectrum licenses. It exposed corruption between government officials and telecom companies, causing losses to the exchequer.

Satyam Scam (2009)

Although not directly linked to the INC, the Satyam scam was one of the largest corporate frauds in Indias history. The scam involved falsification of accounts and financial statements by the management of Satyam Computer Services, leading to investor losses and damage to Indias reputation in the global IT industry.

Adarsh Housing Society Scam (2010)

The Adarsh Housing Society scam revealed corruption and favoritism in the allotment of apartments meant for war widows and defense personnel in Mumbai. Politicians, bureaucrats, & military officers were accused of obtaining flats in society through fraudulent means, leading to public outrage and legal proceedings.

Commonwealth Games Scam (2010)

The Commonwealth Games scam revealed massive corruption in the organizing of the 2010 event in Delhi. Allegations of inflated contracts and kickbacks marred the games, leading to public outrage.

Coal Allocation Scam (2012)

The coal allocation scam, or Coalgate, involved irregularities in allocating coal blocks to private companies. It highlighted crony capitalism and resulted in significant losses to the national exchequer.

Augusta Westland Scam (2012)

Also known as the VVIP helicopter scam, it saw alleged irregularities in helicopter procurement for the Indian Air Force. Implicated politicians and bureaucrats raised concerns about defense procurement transparency.