ED submitted forged bank papers of Hassan Ali, say Swiss authorities

NEW DELHI: A spokesman of the Swiss federal office of justice has said that Indian investigating agencies submitted forged documents to local authorities regarding the bank accounts of Hassan Ali Khan and his associates.

Folco Galli, the Swiss justice ministry spokesman, told DNA on telephone that the banks in which the accounts are reportedly operated are “concerned that the documents are clearly forged”.

Galli said his ministry had received an “Indian delegation on January 12”, which requested the Swiss government to block accounts linked with Khan’s case. “We shortly told Indian authorities to complete the documents,” Galli said.

The spokesman said a request to block accounts must show “link between the offences alleged and eventual funds in Switzerland”. That process “has to be completed before the Swiss authorities act on the accounts”.

The banking documents, the crucial papers that show Khan and his associates to hold Swiss bank accounts, were given to the banks concerned for verification, he said. The reply was shocking: the documents were forged. “It doesn’t mean there is no money,” Galli clarified.

Swiss authorities informed India of the problems with the documents  on January 15. They sent a diplomatic note on January 29. “We are awaiting a response,” Galli said.

Enforcement Directorate chief Sudhir Nath said his agency “does not comment” on investigations under progress.