Six noted personalities, including Ram Jethmalani, have sought disclosure of certain vital documents relating to the “Rs70 lakh crore stashed away in foreign banks”
The Supreme Court (SC) issued a notice to the Centre on Tuesday on a petition filed by six noted personalities, including leading lawyer Ram Jethmalani, who have sought disclosure of certain vital documents relating to the “Rs70 lakh crore stashed away in foreign banks”.
As the court sought the government’s response to the plea against black money, solicitor general Gopal Subramanium submitted a sealed status report on investigations carried by the Enforcement Directorate against Pune businessman Hasan Ali Khan, who is alleged to have violated the Foreign Exchange Management Act.
The petitioners’ counsel Anil Divan said when the income-tax department raised a demand of Rs71,848 crore against Khan, why was the source of such a large amount not investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act?
Another crucial piece of information sought by the petitioners is details of deposits made by Hasan’s co-conspirator Kashinath Tapuria in UBS Bank.
The government has sought “confidentiality” of the information received about Indian account-holders in a German bank.
The petitioners claimed the authorities were determined to withhold the documents. The solicitor general told the court that the status report would indicate that letters rogatory (letter of request) had been sent to some countries to get Hasan to face trial.
The judges asked the government to file a detailed affidavit before it hears the petition in December.
Jethmalani, former Punjab DGP KPS Gill, former secretary general of Lok Sabha Subhash Kashyap and others have said that the government is not serious about unearthing black money and bringing it back.
They said the government had withheld 21 important documents and letters, including its communication with German authorities, UBS AG Switzerland and LGT Bank, Liechtenstein.
Another important document they have sought is a copy of the March 17, 2008, reply sent by the German government in which it has been stated that it is not in a position to provide information sought by India in a February 27, 2009, letter.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}