Congress dubs Lalit-Sushma row as 'ModiGate' scandal, accuses Govt. of deceiving authorities

Dubbing the ongoing controversy over former IPL chairman Lalit Modi as 'ModiGate' scandal, the Congress on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government of trying to help a 'money launderer' and deceiving the Indian authorities.

"In the last 72 hours, 'ModiGate' scandal has exposed murky dealings, wilful, lies, unearthing of secret documents, intentional non-disclosure of personal and business interests and apparent conflict of interest of senior most people in BJP leadership," said Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewaala.

"All this seems to have been done with a view to dupe and deceive Indian authorities like the Enforcement Directorate, income tax authorities, purely with one single purpose to help a fugitive of law, to help a money launderer, to help a 'hawala operator' and that so as documents and statements now establish with active complicity of India's foreign minister and Rajasthan Chief Minister," he said.

"External Affairs Minister, Rajasthan Chief Minister, all have been found to be involved in the matter and all of them ultimately function according to the Prime Minister and hence the government is trying its best to cover up the crime that they have committed," he added.

He also said that if Sushma wanted to support Lalit on humanitarian grounds, she should have asked him to go to the Indian High Commission.

"If Sushma wanted to support Lalit on humanitarian grounds, she should have asked him to go to the Indian High Commission. Double speak of the BJP in defending the indispensable, as also the entire web of deceit now stands exposed before nation," the Congress leader said.

"Sushma Swaraj's husband and her daughter were counsels for Lalit Modi for 20 and four years respectively. Knowing well that the External Affairs Minister and her ministry are dealing with a case involving an offender named Lalit Modi, whom they represent," he added.

Swaraj, who has been facing criticism for helping the former IPL boss in procuring the travel documents from the UK, had on Sunday said she had taken a humanitarian view of Lalit Modi's case since his wife was suffering from cancer.

She further said that British MP Keith Vaz had spoken to her on the same subject, adding she believes that giving an Indian citizen 'emergency travel documents' cannot spoil relations between India and the UK.

Vaz, who is facing an inquiry in the UK over the role he played in Modi receiving his travel papers, said that he had checked with the Indian Government before taking any action and added that he had received a 'no objection' from New Delhi.