The trouble is the government seems to think that equipping policemen with special powers is all that is needed to stamp out money laundering. This is in stark contrast to the opinion of most ordinarypeople about the police. Given this perception about the police, arming them with wider powers would only result in scope for further harassment. The corporate sector too has had its share of problems while dealing with ham-handed officials, who have little knowledge about the complexities of business. Small wonder that industry associations have protested against these provisions. There is no doubt that money launderers must get their just deserts, provided, of course, they are found guilty by a court of law. But why is the government so eager to harass people only on suspicion of guilt? And why is it so eager to treat oversight as heinous crime? The money-laundering bill is a product of bureaucratic hubris, and it needs extensive amendments before it becomes law.