AMN / /
The Congress party has demanded an independent probe by a Supreme Court monitored Special Investigation Team into External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj’s help to Lalit Modi obtain travel documents. The party said, names of all those involved in the case must be revealed so that truth is unraveled and the nexus busted. Reiterating its demand for her resignation, party said, what the Minister did was unwarranted.
Briefing media in New Delhi, party spokesperson Anand Sharma said the Prime Minister should tell the nation why his government is protecting Lalit Modi. Expressing surprise over the studied silence of Mr Narendra Modi, he sought to know if there can be different set of rules of probity for different people.
Questioning Home Minister Rajnath Singh for endorsing Mrs Swaraj’s statement that whatever she did was on humanitarian grounds, Mr Sharma said, instead of backing Swaraj, the Home Minister should have acted against Lalit Modi as he has all the intelligence inputs about offenders. Stating it is clear that External Affairs Minister committed a crime by helping Lalit Modi, Mr Sharma said the Minister’s claims that she helped Modi for humanitarian cause are false. He asked whether there was any petition from Modi to the Minister in this regard. The Congress spokesperson said when there were no specific queries from British authorities, why did Indian government made what he called unacceptable concession. Mr Sharma said that chain of events show that government clearly intended to help Lalit Modi.
“We have to ask PM Modi directly, why is he quiet? Can there be different set of rules when you talk of probity,” Anand Sharma asked.
“Lalit Modi has declared himself bankrupt but he is holidaying despite bankruptcy,” Sharma said.
Meanwhile, National Students Union of India, NSUI, today protested outside residence of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. The protestors shouted slogans against the Minister for helping Lalit Modi get travel documents. Security has been tightened at Mrs Swaraj’s residence.
All India Mahila Congress led by Shobha Ozha today protested outside BJP headquarters in New Delhi. The women wing of Congress was demanding the resignation of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj for extending help to Lalit Modi, a person accused of economic offences. The protesters also raised slogans against the minister.
BJP terms it a ‘non-issue’
Sushma acted bona fide in Lalit Modi travel document case: Jaitely
The government has dismissed charges levelled against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj related to travel documents to Lalit Modi as baseless.
Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told media persons that, Mrs. Swaraj acted bona fide and her intention was good. He said, her clarification and BJP president’s statement have already come out in this regard.
The Finance Minister said the government and party are completely by her side. He said, the Cabinet is collectively responsible for the decision taken by any Minister.
Finance minister Arun Jaitley today confirmed cases against former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi. Speaking to reporters,he said show cause notices issued to Lalit Modi in 15 out of 16 cases being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).