Days after the scam of Punjab National Bank (PNB) unearthed, the Congress government launched an attack on the BJP. The PNB fraud saw diamond merchant Nirav Modi and his relative Mehul Choksi, the owner of Gitanjali Gems, sneak out of the country.
In a media interaction, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala took a dig at PM Modi over his famous 2014 general election slogan – na khaunga, na khaane dunga (Won’t allow anyone to indulge in corruption).
Surjewala framed the Modi government saying, “Khaunga, aur khane dunga, aur pack karke le jane dunga. Lagta hai, ye sarkaar ka naya nara ho gaya hai. (Will indulge in corruption and let others do the same. This seems to be the new slogan of the government.)”.
Khaunga, aur khane dunga, aur pack karke le jane dunga. Lagta hai ye sarkaar ka naya nara ho gaya hai: Randeep Surjewala, Congress pic.twitter.com/yQQtUpTLcO
— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2018
Nirav Modi’s reluctance
CBI directed Nirav Modi to reach out to the Indian mission in the country he is residing so that he is brought back to India. The agency further initiated that it is mandatory for him to join the investigation whenever asked to. He has been asked to appear for questioning next week.
Through his official email, he was asked to join the investigation related to Rs 12,636 crores scam. He and his and his uncle Mehul Choksi has been booked under it. He however refused by saying he has businesses abroad.
What is a LoU?
The LoU is a guarantee by an issuing bank to Indian banks having branches abroad to grant a short-term credit. The issuing bank pays the liability to credit giving bank along with interest in case of a default.
Through swift messages, LoUs and LCs close to the US $2 billion were issued. These messages were not entered in the banking software of the PNB to bypass surveillance.