While observers feel that is the case, Union Home Minister L.K. Advani differs. The ongoing investigations, he told The Indian Express, are in order and would lead to further ``disclosures''. He is sure of the prosecution getting a conviction.

But observers point out that the ground reality is different. Consider, for example, Advani's directive a fortnight ago to CBI Director Trinath Mishra to submit before him, by November-end, the agency's preliminary report on the alleged politician-bureaucrat-police officer connection in the Sharma case. There is still no sign of the report.

On the other hand, the CBI's go-slow approach has taken a toll on other aspects of the case. The last ``breakthrough'' was effected a week before the Assembly elections, when a team of CBI officials swooped down on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in search of a ``missing file'' reportedly containing details of a passport having been issued to Dawood's mother after the Mumbai serial blasts. At least five MEA officials (including an under-secretary) were grilled.

The file is still missing and no follow-up action has been taken.

According to a senior CBI official, there is ``nothing unusual'' in the way the probe seems to have meandered. The lightning raids on Reliance Industries and its Delhi-based representative V. Balasubramaniam are believed to have dealt one of the biggest setbacks to the case. That was when the Government made public its sudden aversion for the Official Secrets Act. Many in the North Block saw it as a message to the investigators.

Advani, however, hints that lot more is to come out in the matter. ``I am awaiting a detailed CBI report which will shed light on the politician-bureaucrat-police nexus that It is amazing that a Dawood man sat pretty in the country's capital for so many years,'' he says.

Advani did not rule out launching fresh investigations against officials if their involvement with Sharma could be proved. However, he warns: ``Mere association does not mean connivance in a crime.''

A public servant's connivance with Sharma, Advani holds, could be established on two counts: (a) if somebody helped him in his illegal activities, or (b) even after coming across evidence of his illegal acts, the person took no action against him.

Notwithstanding the Union Home Minister's assurance of fair play, a few key questions remain unanswered. For instance, how come even after registeration of as many as five separate cases against Sharma and the accompanying evidence showing his clout in top government circles, not a single senior bureaucrat, politician or policeman has been questioned till date?