Chidambaram targets Modi government for dodging Rafale probe
New Delhi, Sep 24: Congress leader P. Chidambaram on Monday ridiculed the Narendra Modi government for refusing a probe into the Rafale deal after Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley discredited former French President Francois Hollande's revelation on the choice of an offset partner.
"Truth cannot have two versions' says Finance Minister (Jaitley). Absolutely correct. Since, according to the Finance Minister, there are two versions, what is the best way to find out which version is 'true'?
"Either (1) order an inquiry or (2) toss a coin. I suppose the Finance Minister would prefer to toss a coin (preferably with 'head' on both sides).
"It is a pity that the government does not see the inexorable flow of events and refuses to order an inquiry. Who knows what will happen in six months or 12 months," the senior Congress leader said in a series of tweets.
"Truth cannot have two versions," Jaitley on Sunday cited Hollande's initial claim to a French website that "Reliance Defence partnership with Dassault Aviation was entered at the suggestion of the Indian Government" and his subsequent statement to the AFP news agency that "he is not aware if government ever lobbied for Reliance Defence".
Continuing its relentless attack against the Modi government over the "Rafale scam", a delegation of top Congress leaders will meet the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) later on Monday seeking a probe into the alleged regurgitates in the deal announced by the Prime Minister in April 2015.
The party has already submitted a memorandum to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India Rajiv Mehrishi for a special and forensic audit into the intergovernmental deal with France to purcure 36 Rafale jets.
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Two held for Rs 1.13 crore gold theft at Housing Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan residence in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Shivajinagar Police have arrested two persons for allegedly stealing gold ornaments worth Rs 1.13 crore from the Pulakeshinagar residence of Housing Minister B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan.
The accused have been identified as Ameer Ahmed and his associate Syed Ameer, Deccan Herald reported.
Police said Ameer Ahmed is known to the family and is a distant relative of the minister’s mother, Sogar Khanam. He had been visiting the house regularly and had reportedly gained the family’s trust by offering assistance.
According to police, He had suffered losses in his travel business and was in financial distress. He had allegedly sought Rs 5 lakh as financial help from the family and expressed a desire to travel to Mecca. When he didn't get help, Ahmed allegedly conspired with his associate Syed and carried out the theft.
Investigators said the duo pledged the stolen gold ornaments at a private finance company and invested the proceeds in real estate ventures.
Suspicion arose after Ahmed stopped visiting the house, following the theft. He also stopped responding to phone calls. His mobile phone remaining switched off post the incident, further raised doubts, leading police to track and arrest him.
During interrogation, both accused reportedly confessed to the crime. Based on the information provided, police recovered the stolen gold ornaments.
