Cong Demands Probe Into Role Of PMO, FM & CBI In Mallya Escape; Demands Dismissal Of
Cong Demands Probe Into Role Of PMO, FM & CBI In Mallya Escape; Demands Dismissal Of FM
M.U.H
19/09/2018583
New Delhi. Sep 19: Raising a question mark on the role of the CBI and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in the escape of industrialist Vijay Mallya, the Congress on Tuesday demanded a comprehensive probe into the role of the PMO, the Finance Minister, the Consortium of 17 banks and the CBI.
It also demanded that the Finance Minister be asked to step down till the probe is completed.
Talking to reporters here. AICC media incharge Randeep Surjewala, raising question marks on the role of the Prime Minister’s office in the escape of Mallya, said, 4Cs – Complicity, Collusion, Connivance and Collaboration of Modi Government define Mallya Gate. The ‘Operation Cover-Up’ in the Mallya Gate stands uncovered.
Complicity, Collusion, Connivance and Collaboration of the Modi Government at the highest level has been unmasked. Nothing can absolve Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley in the ‘Vijay Mallya Escape’. Congress party demands that there should be a comprehensive probe in the role of the PMO; Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley and officers of the Finance Ministry; CBI including the then Director, Anil Sinha; Joint Director A K Sharma amd SP, Harshita Attaluri; Consortium of banks, particularly management of State Bank of India in not acting against Vijay Mallya.’’
Demanding the dismissal of the Finance Minister, he said,’’does the Finance Minister remained silent for 30 months despite being aware of plans by Mallya to escape. Does he have a moral right to remain in his post.
He should be asked to step down till the probe is completed.’’
Raising question mark on the role of the CBI in Mallya’s escape by changing the ‘Look out notice’ to ‘detain’ to a ‘Look out notice to inform’, Mr Surjewala charged the agency of shifting its stance and wondered whether the PMO nudged them to protect Vijay Mallya.
’’CBI is under Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) which reports directly to the PMO. On July 29, 2015, the CBI registered FIR against Mallya for financial irregularities and diversion of funds Rs 9000 Cr Bank Fraud. On Oct 10 , 2015: CBI raided Mallya and Kingfisher and recovered documents and computers. On Oct 16, 2015 CBI issued ‘Look out Notice’ to ‘Detain’ Vijay Mallya to immigration authorities. On Nov 23 2015 Immigration authorities informed CBI about ‘arrival of Mallya’ on Nov 24 night from abroad.
However, on Nov 24 2015, CBI changed ‘Look Out Notice to Detain’ into ‘Look Out Notice to Inform’. In its defence, the CBI claimed ignorance stating that they ‘only sought advance information’ qua Vijay Mallya. On Nov 24, 2015, CBI wrote a letter to immigration authorities withdrawing the ‘Look Out Notice to Detain ‘on the plea that ‘the reference to detention of the subject (Mallya) was made under the impression that advance information about the arrival of the subject may not be available with immigration authorities’. On March 12 2016: CBI said that ‘Look Out Notice to Detain’ against Mallya was ‘an inadvertent error’. Them on Sept 13 2018, the CBI said ‘Look Out Notice to Detain’ Mallya was ‘an error of judgement’ Why has CBI shifted its stance thrice – ‘Seeking Advance Information’ to ‘Inadvertent Error’ to ‘Error of Judgment’? Why are the two officer’s responsible i.e Joint Director, A K Sharma and SP Harshita Attaluri, mum on the reason for changing ‘LOC to Detain’ into ‘Inform’?,’’Mr Surjewala said.
Alleging that collusion of the consortium of banks and the silence of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was responsible for the escape of Mallya, Mr Surjewala said,’’ On Feb 28, 2016, the consortium of banks were advised by Dusyant Dave, Senior Advocate to move the Supreme Court against Mallya on Feb 29 and get his passport impounded so that he doesn’t escape from the country. However, on Feb 29, 2016, banks failed to file a case or move for confiscation of Mallya’s passport.
On March 5, 2016, the Banks moved the Supreme Court against Mallya but he had already escaped on March 2, 2016. Who directed them to not act against Mallya?
On March 1, 2016: Vijay Mallya met Mr Arun Jaitley in Parliament. He stated that he is “leaving for London” making his plan to escape clear to Mr Jaitley. Mr Jaitley already knew that the 17 Banks were seeking to recover their Rs 9,091 Cr from a ‘willful defaulter’, Vijay Mallya.
However, he choose to remain mum and did not inform the Banks, the CBI, the ED, the SFIO, and Immigration Authorities to act against Mallya and detain him. Mr Jaitley infact remained mum for 30 months thereafter, admitting to his meeting to Vijay Mallya for the first time on September 12, 2018 in a Facebook post. Why did the Finance Minister remain silent for 30 monhts.’’