Maharashtra chief secretary submits report on Maria-Modi meet
Lalit Modi
New Delhi: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money on Tuesday sought update from multiple probe agencies on the role of Lalit Modi in alleged financial irregularities in the T-20 cricket tournament.
Besides Mr Modi, former IPL Chairman, the SIT also reviewed cases of BCCI officials and other individuals involved in the operation of the various editions of the IPL. Sources said the two-hour long meeting was chaired by SIT vice-chairman Justice (retd) Arijit Pasayat and it is understood that directions have been issued to agencies like the Income Tax department, Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to update it with more information and status on each of the cases being handled by these probe bodies.
“The SIT has a wide mandate and hence as part of its overall review of black money cases and those related to illegal assets held abroad, the panel also reviewed cases related to the IPL and people involved in it,” the sources said.
In another development, BJP MP R.K. Singh on Tuesday struck a discordant note over party leaders Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje extending help to former IPL boss Lalit Modi, saying “any help to a fugitive is legally and morally wrong”. He urged the government to take all measures to bring him back to India to face the law.
Mr Singh’s strong comments are the first public criticism by a ruling party MP against the help extended to Lalit Modi by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, an issue which has snowballed into a major political storm for the Narendra Modi government even though BJP has defended both the leaders.
“If anybody helps a ‘bhagoda’ (fugitive), it is wrong. This is wrong legally as well as morally. If anybody meets a fugitive, it is absolutely wrong,” Mr Singh, a former home secretary, said.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra additional chief secretary K.P. Bakshi on Tuesday submitted his report on Mumbai Police chief Rakesh Maria’s meeting with tainted ex-IPL boss Lalit Modi to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, based on which the government is soon expected to take a decision. Home department sources said all rumours about Maria’s resignation are baseless.
Congress Continues attack:
Mr Jaitley, speaking on the sidelines of an event he was attending at Stanford University in California, was reacting to reporters queries when asked about the Opposition’ s allegation that his remarks amounted to giving a clean chit to Mr Dushyant Singh.
Mr Singh has been under attack over media reports that his company had received Rs 11.63 crores in investments from Mr Lalit Modi in 2008. Continuing its attack against the government and the BJP, the Congress attacked Mr Jaitley over his alleged remark that the deal between Ms Raje’s son and the former IPL chief was a “commercial transaction”.
Congress leader Anand Sharma said, “His statement of clarification does not save him. He did say what was published in all the newspapers... It is a realisation that has come late after the damage has been done.” Mr Sharma said the finance minister “should have been more careful, restrained and balanced” in his remarks as cases had been registered in the matter by the Enforcement Directorate, which is under his ministry.
( Source : agencies/deccan chronicle )
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