Probe PMO, Jaitley role in Mallya escape: Congress
New Delhi, Sep 18 : Upping the ante against the Narendra Modi government for its "collaboration" in letting Vijay Mallya flee the country, the Congress on Tuesday demanded a probe into why the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley did not act against the liquor baron.
"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 spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala said.
Pointing to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s changing stance against Mallya in the Rs 9,000-crore loan default case, the Congress leader questioned if 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'?" said Surjewala.
He also said that a consortium of 17 banks led by the State Bank of India was advised to move the Supreme Court against Mallya on February 29, 2016 and get his passport impounded.
"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.
Surjewala also questioned Jaitley's failure to inform the banks, the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) and the immigration authorities about his meeting with Mallya and to detain him.
The Congress demanded a comprehensive probe into the role of the PMO, Jaitley and officers of the Finance Ministry, the CBI including then Director Anil Sinha, Joint Director Sharma and SP Attaluri as well as the consortium of banks, particularly the management of State Bank of India, for not acting against Mallya.
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India describes attack on Fujairah 'unacceptable'
New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday described the wounding of three Indians in an attack on the United Arab Emirates' port city of Fujairah as "unacceptable" and pressed for an immediate cessation of hostilities targeting innocent civilians.
New Delhi's reaction came a day after the Indians were injured after a drone attack caused a fire at a major oil industry zone in Fujairah. The UAE had accused Iran of carrying out the strike.
"The attack on Fujairah that resulted in injury to three Indian nationals is unacceptable," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
"We call for immediate cessation of these hostilities and the targeting of civilian infrastructure and innocent civilians," the spokesperson said.
Jaiswal said India continued to stand for dialogue and diplomacy to deal with the situation so that peace and stability could be restored across West Asia.
"We also call for free and unimpeded navigation and commerce through the Strait of Hormuz in keeping with international law. India stands ready to support all efforts for a peaceful resolution of issues," he said.
The attack on Fujairah city came as the ceasefire between the US and Iran came under strain in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas pass, remains a major sticking point in the talks. Shipping through the narrow Gulf waterway has been severely disrupted by the conflict, triggering a sharp increase in oil prices and energy shortages in several countries.
The UAE's defence ministry on Monday said its air defence systems engaged 12 ballistic missiles, three cruise missiles and four drones launched from Iran.
The ministry affirmed that it "remains fully prepared and ready to deal with any threats and will firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country."
