Facts in Lalit Modi case point to nepotism: Chidambaram

Former finance minister demands all correspondence with UK on the issue be made public

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Former finance minister P Chidambaram today raised seven questions to the Centre on the Lalit Modi visa row. He alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was supporting External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

Chidambaram said that during UPA government's tenure two letters were written to the United Kingdom to send back Lalit Modi, but the letters did not get any 'positive' replies.

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While demanding the BJP Government should release all the letters, he questioned Sushma Swaraj's approach to the issue. The Minister of External Affairs had allegedly asked a British MP to get Lalit Modi a UK travel document and Mr Chidambaram asked if she (Sushma Swaraj) really wanted to help Modi on humanitarian grounds, she should have told him to go to Indian Embassy, since he is an Indian citizen and she is an Indian Minister.

"It's clearly a charge of nepotism, abuse of authority and violation of rules... seems to be building from one to another," said Chidambaram.

Chidambaram also questioned how Modi is staying in UK when his passport was cancelled and why is he not being sent back to India.

When questioned on how did Modi leave India (during UPA regime), Chidambaram said Modi had a valid passport and there was only an enquiry on him but no notice or proceedings were issed against him at that time.

On Lalit Modi's allegation that his life will be in danger if he returns to India, Chidambaram questioned if the NDA government was incapable of protecting an Indian citizen who has been summoned by the ED.

Chidambaram questioned the what steps the centre has taken to enforce summons by ED and who took the decision to issue a fresh passport to Lalit Modi and why the Government is not releasing letters between GOI and UK's chancellor of exchequer.