Hasan Ali case: Pranab Mukherjee says appropriate action will be taken

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said the government has taken note of the Supreme Court observations and action will be taken against Pune-based stud farm owner Hasan Ali Khan who is facing charges of stashing huge amounts of money in tax havens.

"That is being taken care of. We have noted the observations of the Supreme Court. All appropriate action will be taken," he said on the sidelines of a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event when asked if the government was contemplating any action against Khan.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had yesterday issued a 'Look Out Circular' at all airports against Khan to ensure that he did not flee the country.

Khan is facing charges of stashing away over US$ 8 billion in Swiss banks. In 2009, he was served a notice for a tax demand for about Rs40,000 crore.

Lambasting the Centre for not having the "will power" to act against black money hoarders, the apex court on March 3 asked why Khan and others were not subjected to custodial interrogation despite the probe agencies possessing sufficient materials.

"What the hell is going on in this country," an anguished court had asked.

In connection with the black money case involving him, the the Supreme Court in February also had also asked the Centre to ensure that Khan did not leave the country.