PM running 'fraudster settlement scheme' for likes of Nirav Modi: Congress

The Congress on Saturday hit out at the government over a media report that PNB scam accused Nirav Modi was living in a swanky apartment in London and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was running a "fraudster settlement yojana" for such fugitives.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, taking to Twitter, took a swipe at Prime Minister Modi saying that the recent video of Nirav Modi in the UK shows an "uncanny similarity" between the two as both "believe they are above the law".

The opposition party also alleged that fugitives had looted Rs 1 lakh crore from Indian banks but not even one of them had been caught during the five years of the Modi government.

The scathing attack on the government came after a British daily reported that Nirav Modi, wanted in India in the Rs 13,500 crore PNB fraud case, has been living openly in a swanky 8-million pound apartment in London's West End and is running a new diamond business just yards away. The daily also released a video of Nirav Modi at a street in London.

"The video of fugitive #NiravModi in London shows an uncanny similarity between him & his bhai, PM Modi. Both have looted India and are called Modi. Both refuse to answer any questions. Both believe they are above the law. Both will face justice," the Congress chief tweeted.

The government said Saturday the UK is still considering the request to extradite Nirav Modi and India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition.

Facing flak from the Congress after Nirav Modi was spotted in London, the ruling BJP hit back saying he began his fraud in 2011 when the UPA dispensation was in power and that the Modi government detected and exposed it.

Targeting the BJP, Congress' chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said: "Fugitive Nirav Modi has been seen enjoying in London, living in a Rs 75 crore flat and wearing a 10,000 pound jacket,"
On the Ministry of External Affairs saying that it knew that he is in London and that is why it had put in an extradition request, Chaturvedi asked: "What have we been doing since August? Why we have not been building pressure, if Narendra Modi talks big about his 'hug diplomacy' initiative and his phenomenal diplomacy which India never saw before 2014."