Top News
Congress accuses Modi government of facilitating Choksi’s escape
New Delhi, Sep 11 (IANS) The Congress on Tuesday accused the Modi government of leaving “gaping holes” in the process of repatriation of PNB bank fraud accused Mehul Choksi and giving him a “clean chit” that enabled him to escape from the country early this year.
Congress Communications In-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala referred to Choksi’s remarks in a video interview in which he has denied allegations of any wrongdoing and said he had received an email from the passport office on February 16 this year that his passport has been suspended.
“It is intriguing that Modi government allowed passport of Choksi to remain valid till Feburary 16, helping him escape on January 4, 2018,” Surjewala told reporters. He referred to the written reply given in Parliament to a question by party leader Kapil Sibal.
“Shocking details based on a parliamentary reply of July 24, 2018 as also details from Antigua’s Citizenship By Investment Unit (CIU) have lifted the cover from the sins committed by every organ of the Modi government – PMO, MEA, CBI, SEBI — that facilitated and gave a ‘clean chit’ to Choksi. It also conclusively exposes the barrage of lies that ministers in the Modi government were trying to plant in the mainstream media,” Surjewala said.
He said the PMO has admitted in the reply that the first report of action against Nirav Modi/Mehul Choksi was given to PMO by Finance Department on March 1, 2018.
He said Nirav Modi, also accused in the PNB bank fraud case, had escaped from the country on January 1, 2018. “Complicity of PMO and Finance Ministry in the escape of Nirav Modi/Mehul Choksi is thus writ large. Why did PMO wait till March 1 to get a report on fraud by Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi? Does it not prove their complicity in the matter?” he asked.
Surjewala alleged that the PMO, Maharashtra and Gujarat governments and several other agencies “deliberately ignored evidence of fraud and multiple complaints” against Choksi and another bank fraud accused Nirav Modi since May 7 2015.
Surjewala said a complaint was filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs on May 7, 2015 and copies were sent to Prime Minister’s Office, Enforcement Directorate, Serious Fraud Investigation Office and SEBI.
A similar complaint, he said, was filed with Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mumbai.
Surjewala said an FIR was filed in Ahmedabad Economic Offences Wing against Choksi and and the matter went to Gujarat High Court in which the state government was a party.
He said an affidavit was filed in the court on July 20, 2016 pointing out that Choksi and others owed Rs.9,872 crore to banks and were likely to escape from India.
Surjewala said the press statement by CIU reveals how clean chit was given for Choksi’s citizenship of Antigua in May 2017.
“The clearance certified that there was ‘no adverse information’ against Choksi. The CIU also states that SEBI had also given ‘clean chit certificate’ to Choksi,” he said.
Surjewala said Interpol gave clearance to Choksi as CBI and Enforcement Directorate failed to get a warrant issued against him or provide the requisite evidence.
The Congress leader said Modi met Antiguan Prime Minister Gaston Browne April 20 this year on the sidelines of CHOGM summit but did not raise the issue concerning Choksi.
–IANS
ps-sid/prs
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.