Releasing copies of two-and-a-half-year-old criminal complaints against Gitanjali Gems owner Mehul Choksi to the Gujarat police, the Congress on Friday said the businessman had duped jewellery investors who had put in money in systematic investment plans totalling ₹5,000 crore, but the State police refused to act because of his proximity to BJP leaders.
The party accused the Gujarat police of sitting on all the complaints until January 28, 2018 by which time Mr. Choksi and his business partner, Nirav Modi, the principal accused in the Punjab National Bank fraud case, had fled the country.
Monthly schemes
Addressing a press conference, Congress leader from Gujarat Shatkisinh Gohil said Mr. Choksi carried out a Jan Dhan Loot Yojana (scheme to rob public money) by asking people to invest in gold in monthly schemes and cheating them at the time of redemption.
“They had schemes for 12, 24 and 36 months with attractive names such as Shagun, Subh Mangal Labh and Swarna Mangal Kalash. They promised to pay the last instalment and give gold jewellery with the amount invested but the company didn’t do so. When such investors complained to the police, instead of filing FIR, the complaints of such victims were kept pending,” Mr. Gohil said.
The Gujarat Congress leader said the fugitive jeweller was invited to an event when Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated a gold demonetisation scheme and addressed him as Hamara Mehulbhai to convey a sense of familiarity.
Releases photographs
The party also released photographs of an August 2015 event in which BJP spokesperson Shaina N.C. had showcased her designs hosted by Gitanjali Gems. In the photograph released, Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Anar Patel, daughter of the then Gujarat Chief Minister, could also be seen with the businessman. “Is it correct that Mehul Choksi had given huge ads in newspapers of this function showcasing the sponsored event by the Gitanjali group along with them [Mrs. Fadnavis and Ms. Patel] to project his proximity?” asked Mr. Gohil.
