PM Narendra Modi owes an explanation on Vijay Mallya leaving country: Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "explanation" over how business tycoon Vijay Mallya could leave the country which he claimed was not possible without "approval" from the top.

"Since CBI directly reports to PM, PM owes an answer why Mallya was allowed to leave India. CBI couldn't have allowed without approval from top," Kejriwal tweeted.

Kejriwal's comments come amid a raging controversy over UB Group Chairman Mallya leaving India amid continuing efforts by banks to recover dues totalling over Rs 9,000 crore of unpaid loans and interest from him.

Kejriwal also attacked the Centre for having "back stabbed" jewellers by proposing excise duty on non-silver jewellery items.

"Modi Govt has back stabbed Jewellers. Modi govt doing same what UPA was doing," Kejriwal said in another tweet, referring to an old tweet of Modi where he had asked the UPA government to roll back excise duty on non-branded gold jewellery.

Meanwhile, a strike by jewellers and bullion traders on the issue continued for a 11th straight day today. Union Finance Ministry has clarified that the jewellers only with turnover of more than Rs 12 crore will be liable to pay one per cent excise duty.