Black money case: AM Singhvi lashes out at Govt. for refusing to reveal account holders' names

Lashing out at the Centre's application to the Supreme Court made earlier today, which stated that it is difficult to disclose the names of all those involved in black money case, Congress Member of Parliament (MP) Abhishek Manu Singhvi described it as political hypocrisy of the highest order.

"By not revealing the black money account holders' names, the government's hypocrisy has been exposed," said Singhvi while addressing a press conference in the capital.

He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his promises made to the public during the Lok Sabha elections.

"Will the Prime Minister apologies for giving false hopes to the public," Singhvi added.

He further taunted over social activist Kiren Bedi and Anna Hazare as to whether they will now go for unending fast against corruption as they had done during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime.

"Will Kiran Bedi and Anna Hazare start an unending fast in front of Prime Minister Modi's house," Singhvi said.

Singhvi further said, "The kind of comments being made about the Congress have earlier also been made about the BJP when it was two seats. It took them 10-15 years to come back. All that we have done is that we have lost the elections. That does not validate Prime Minister Modi saying something totally different from what his government is saying today in the Supreme Court, the two are unlinked."

"In the electoral cycle apart, things change very soon and our job is to change your perception of this hunky dory government every day we get this opportunity from this podium. And that has its own validation it has nothing to do with electoral policy which we fight on ground, continue with it with vigor and sincerity," Singhvi added.

Earlier today, with the Centre telling the Supreme Court that it cannot disclose the names of all those having black money stashed abroad as it violates the double taxation avoidance agreement, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said that if confidentiality is not maintained, then the execution of treaties will become impossible.

Senior Counsel Ram Jethmalani, who has accused the Centre of trying to protect people with black money, alleged that the Finance Ministry is using double taxation avoidance treaty which has no application to crooks of the kind who have looted this country.

Switzerland had earlier this month said that it will examine Indian requests for banking information on a priority basis and provide requested details in a time-bound manner.

India had also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe cases of alleged black money of Indians, including funds stashed abroad in places like Switzerland.

A Special Investigation Team, chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice M B Shah, is looking into the menace of black money.