Congress reiterates demand for SIT probe into Gujarat land deal

The Congress on Monday reiterated its demand for a court-monitored SIT probe into alleged undue favours extended by the Gujarat government to Chief Minister Anandiben Patel's daughter Anar Patel in a land deal.

"It is a fit case for a court-monitored investigation because not only was government land given at a throwaway price to private players, the Environment Projection Act, Wildlife Act...all norms have been violated with impunity," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said here.

Tewari said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was the chief minister of Gujarat at the relevant time, should come clean on the issue.

"Unfortunately, the silence of both the prime minister and chief minister has been deafening. Over the last two days, certain new facts have emerged," the Congress leader added.

The Congress on Saturday accused Modi of nepotism, conflict of interest and plunder of public land for commercial and business purposes as the chief minister and demanded a probe into all the land allotments during his term as Gujarat chief minister.

"When we are talking of a special investigation team probe, it is not limited only to this case of Wildwood Resorts or business associates of Anar Patel," party leader Anand Sharma had said.

"Who is benefitting from the flagrant violation of the Environment Protection Act and the wildlife Act, and prime minister - if this is not corruption, then will you care to explain to the country what exactly it is?" Tewari said.

He said the Supreme Court should take suo motu cognizance and order an independent investigation into the issue.

Anar Patel has rubbished the Congress allegations of taking undue favours from the state government.