Lalit Modi row: Sushma’s act was in violation of rules, says Chidambaram

Chidambaram asserted that government owes an explanation as why there has been no appeal to the UK govt to bring Modi back to India and face the probe by the Enforcement Directorate.

He also said that the letters written to British authorities on Lalit Modi case during UPA rule should be released as they will answer the former IPL Commissioner’s accusations against him and Congress.

“Charges made against us are laughable charges, the letters will speak for themselves. They are the best evidence,” said the Congress leader in a press conference adding that Sushma Swaraj’s help to a fugitive raises several questions.

“Why did the MEA not insist that Lalit Modi should first rerun to India and face probe. If Sushma wanted to support Lalit on humanitarian grounds, she should have asked him to go to Indian High Commission,” said Chidambaram.

The former finance minister said told media that the passport of Lalit Modi was cancelled in 2011 on the request of the ED. He maintained that Modi was being investigated under laws of India with no right to travel outside India or to live in UK.

In an interview to a TV channel after the fresh controversy involving Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, Modi had accused Chidambaram of making him a target of “political vendetta” in the aftermath of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor losing his ministerial job following the IPL scam.

Lalit had attacked the Congress after it demanded resignation of Sushma Swaraj for helping him get travel documents from the UK.

Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also held a press conference in which he hit out at Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje.

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