ED goes into sudden overdrive, Jaitley assures probity
25 Jun 2015 6:00 AM IST
Even as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday widened its probe into a foreign exchange violation case against former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi and others, which involves alleged illegal routing of Rs 21 crore from a Mauritius-based company, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the government will “play by the rule book” and ensure that absolute standards of probity are maintained.
The ED, as part of its FEMA probe, has written to agencies such as the Income Tax department, RBI and Registrar of Companies (RoC) to obtain detailed information on the operations of the Rajasthan registered firm, said to be owned by Modi and his family members. Sources said the agency may also get in touch with their counterparts in Mauritius to obtain details on the incorporation of a suspected firm there which allegedly sent funds to the Indian company.
When asked whether the Centre was on the backfoot over the ‘Lalitgate’ controversy, involving bureaucrats and senior political leaders, Jaitley, who is in San Francisco, said there is “no question at all” about the government going on back foot. It has done “nothing wrong”.
Replying to a media query that a section of Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) senior leaders (External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje) are trying to shield Modi, he said: “There is no question at all.”
Sensing that the Opposition might disrupt the Monsoon Session of Parliament on the issue, Jaitley stressed that Parliament is meant to discuss and not to disrupt business. “If the Opposition wants to know anything from us, we are willing to have a discussion on a subject. Reforms can even take place outside Parliament, but its smooth functioning is important. There are also some legislative reforms, for which the House must function,” he said.
Modi, who is literally on an “expose mode” via twitter, not only targeted senior Congress and BJP leaders, including party president Amit Shah, but also took a dig at President Pranab Mukherjee and his secretary <g data-gr-id="72">Omita</g> Paul.
Modi accused Paul of being close to the “biggest hawala operator Vivek Nagpal” “The biggest Hawala operator is#vivek#nagpal, also best known as #omita#paul’s#bagman. Lots of data on him. Does anyone care,” Modi tweeted.
Reacting to his tweets, a senior official at the President’s House told Millennium Post that the Union Home Ministry should expedite the process of collecting proof against Modi. He said: “As per the Constitution, the President is untouchable and the Home Ministry should take appropriate action against the false charges levelled by Modi.”
Embarrassed over Paul’s name being linked with an alleged hawala operator, a statement issued from the President House late Wednesday evening reads: “The office of President Pranab Mukherjee has denied the charges levelled against Omita Paul, President’s secretary, by former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi. His charges are baseless, tendentious and malicious.”
For the last few days, Raje and Swaraj are being attacked by the Congress and other Opposition parties for allegedly helping Modi in procuring travel documents in the UK. Raje’s son Dushyant Singh is also facing flak over reports that his company received Rs 11.63 crore in investments from Modi in 2008.
Meanwhile, taking a jibe at the BJP, Congress said the ruling party has opened a “Lalit Kala Academy” to defend the “black deeds” of Modi. “It seems BJP has opened a Lalit Kala Academy to train its spokespersons in how to defend Lalit Modi,” said party spokesman Tom Vadakkan.
Dismayed over BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao’s remarks dubbing Modi as a “victim”, Vadakkan said if the argument was taken to its logical conclusion, it meant that Modi needed protection. “Jaitley ji gave a clean chit to <g data-gr-id="78">Dushyant,</g> but toned down his remarks after a public outcry. Then, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari gave a clean chit to Raje. This shows that there is confusion within the BJP over the Lalitgate issue. Which is the reason why it has opened the Lalit Kala Academy,” he said.
Lalit Modi case:
Govt to play by rule book, says FM Jaitley
Enforcement widens probe into forex violations by Lalit Modi, others
President Pranab Mukherjee’s office rubbishes charges against Omita Paul
Congress says BJP has opened ‘Lalit Kala Academy’ to defend Lalit’s misdeeds
Congress on Wednesday released a signed version of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje’s secret affidavit supporting Lalit Modi’s immigration bid in <g data-gr-id="109">UK</g>.
Kirti Azad seeks FIR against Jaitley
BJP MP Kirti Azad and former India cricketer <g data-gr-id="141">has</g> formally requested the Delhi Police to register an FIR against Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley-linked cricket body. Azad, in his <g data-gr-id="140">complaint</g> requested police to file FIR against <g data-gr-id="139">president</g>, secretary and other concerned officials of DDCA. The Member of Parliament in his letter emphasised on liquor violation when Jaitley was DDCA president. In its complaint, he even said that the DDCA runs a bar within the premises of Ferozshah Kotla and has been given a license by the Excise department of the Delhi government.
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