Reiterating its allegation that the Narendra Modi government had “allowed” businessman Vijay Mallya to flee the country, the Congress on Tuesday demanded a probe into the roles of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, officials in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and banks officials.
“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 of their responsibility in Vijay Mallya's escape,” Congress communication chief Randeep Singh Surjewala said.
Asked who should head such a probe, the Congress leader said, “In this country there are institutions that are bigger than the Modi government. Who is under a cloud of suspicion? The CBI that functions under the PMO, the State Bank of India (SBI) that comes under the Finance Ministry. But first, the Prime Minister should break his silence on the issue.”
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The Congress leader claimed that the CBI has been changing its position and against Vijay Mallya in the ₹9,091-crore loan default case and asked “who in the PMO nudged the CBI to protect Mallya?".
"Why has CBI shifted its stance thrice - 'Seeking Advance Information' to 'Inadvertent Error' to 'Error of Judgment'? Why are the two officers — Joint Director A.K. Sharma and SP Harshita Attaluri — mum on the reason for changing 'Lookout Notice to Detain' to 'Inform'?"asked Mr Surjewala.
The Congress also questioned why the consortium of 17 banks led by State Bank of India (SBI) not move the Supreme Court to get Mr. Mallya’s passport impounded despite a legal adice to do so.
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"On February 29, the banks failed to file a case or move for confiscation of Mallya's passport. They moved the Supreme Court against Mallya only on March 5 after he had escaped on March 2, 2016. Who directed them not to act against Mallya?" he said.
The Congress also questioned why the Finance Minister’s chose not to inform the banks, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), CBI, Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) about his meeting with Mallya and to detain him.