Cong demands probe into role of PMO, FM in Mallya escape

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday demanded a “comprehensive probe” into the alleged role of the Prime Minister's Office and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in helping embattled business tycoon Vijay Mallya flee the country.

The trinity of Mallya, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Bharatiya Janata Party have cheated the country and now it is time to fix the responsibility, the Congress's communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala told reporters. “'Operation Cover-up' in ‘Mallyagate' stands uncovered! 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 in the ‘Vijay Mallya Escape',” he alleged in a statement.

He also gave a timeline of events in the Mallya case.

Surjewala claimed that the CBI shifted its stance on the Mallya case thrice, and asked who in the PMO had nudged the investigation agency.

“Why has CBI shifted its stance thrice -- ‘Seeking Advance Information' to ‘Inadvertent Error' to ‘Error of Judgment'. Why are the two officers responsible, i.e. Joint Director A K Sharma and SP Harshita Attaluri, mum on the reason for changing ‘LOC (Look Out Circular) to Detain' into ‘inform'?” Surjewala said.

He also accused the consortium of 17 banks led by State Bank of India (SBI) of collusion and asked who directed them not to act against Mallya.

Surjewala said Mallya met Jaitley in Parliament and stated that he is “leaving for London”.

“Jaitley already knew that the 17 banks were seeking to recover their Rs 9,091 crore from a ‘willful defaulter', Vijay Mallya. The FM chooses to remain mum. Jaitley doesn't inform the banks, the CBI, the ED, the SFIO, and Immigration Authorities...,” he said.