Singhvi says IT notice harassment by government

Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi on Tuesday alleged that the government was harassing him and his family after his wife was served an Income Tax notice for an alleged purchase of diamonds from a store owned by jeweller Nirav Modi wanted in a multi-crore-rupees banking fraud.

The Congress leader said he would respond to the Income Tax department "questionnaire" in accordance with the law and submit all supporting documents needed for the purpose.

His wife is alleged to have bought diamonds worth Rs 6 crore from Nirav Modi and made the payment of only Rs 1.5 crore through cheque.

Singhvi denied his wife had purchased jewellery in cash. "All (Rs) 1.56 crore paid for fully in cheque and accounted for with receipts."

He, however, questioned if the Income Tax department would send notices to all those who were found on the list of those who purchased jewellery from Nirav Modi "or only one who happens to be in the Congress".

"Purchases in cheque of large amouts all reflected in accounts. Harassment, innuendo, insinuation must have its limits. First leak to friendly media, then issue notice to only one," the Congress leader tweeted.

Last week, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had accused Singhvi's wife and son of holding stocks in Firestar Diamond - a company run by Nirav Modi.

Singhvi reiterated the denial saying: "Neither my family, nor I nor any company of ours has the remotest lender borrowers' holder or director interest in any Modi/(co-accused Mehul) Choksi company.

"Hope alleged unaccounted payments for jewellery purchase is not government's best response to Rs 11,300 crore ghapla under its watch? And hope all customers and purchasers on this alleged list get same notices and same attention by government's favourite channel?" he added.

--IANS

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