Congress seeks SIT Probe in Sushma Swaraj-Lalit Modi matter

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday escalated its attack against the government over foreign minister Sushma Swaraj intervening on behalf of Lalit Modi. While reiterating its demand for Swaraj’s resignation, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) said accountability should extend to other senior members of the NDA government such as PM Modi, Arun Jaitley and Rajnath Singh.

Congress’ Anand Sharma referred to money laundering and match fixing as part of the rot that has tainted the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). He sought a Supreme Court-monitored probe by a special investigation team (SIT) to unearth the truth. He cited the government not appealing against the court order reinstating Modi’s passport as an instance of leniency toward a man wanted in India for questioning on money-laundering allegations.

AICC general secretary Digvijaya Singh tweeted against Swaraj, the PM and Jaitley. "Didn’t Lalit Modi level charges of corruption against Arun Jaitley in distribution of BJP tickets in Rajasthan assembly elections? We would also like to know whether it is a result of BCCI feud? Who is the ‘asteen ka saap’ (back-stabbing insider) in BJP (that) Kirti Azad referred to?" Singh also tweeted that the PM and Jaitley should say whether Lalit Modi is regarded as a "fugitive," adding, "They are the two people who should clarify what is the legal position."