After Modi became PM, fugitives absconded fearing action: Javadekar

Union HRD minister Prakash Javadekar Saturday held the Congress responsible for the alleged financial frauds involving Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya and Mehul Choksi, adding all such fugitives will be extradited to India by the Modi government.

"After Nirav Modi was spotted in London, Congress people are happy that he is spending good time there, but the Modi government will bring back all the fugitives. They (fugitives) as well as those who helped them will be punished," he said at a press conference here.

"They were allowed to loot banks. Then prime minister Manmohan Singh had also said Kingfisher airlines (owned by Vijay Mallya) should be helped. It was the Congress government which allowed them to take away depositors money," he said.

Targeting Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Javadekar said the former had attended a programme organised by Nirav Modi's company on September 13, 2013 and alleged that next day, Allahabad bank approved a loan of Rs 1,550 crore to the diamantaire.

"...Now, after Modi became the prime minister, such fugitives absconded fearing action," he said.

Crediting the Modi government for its action against wrong-doers, the senior BJP leader said the Centre was able to extradite Christian Michel, accused in AgustaWestland chopper scam, and other high-profile accused like lobbyist Deepak Talwar and Rajiv Saxena.

"They were protected by the Congress, but we are bringing them back one by one," he added.