PNB Fraud: It's political vendetta, says Congress; slams Centre for issuing Abhishek Singhvi's wife notice

The Congress today termed as "political vendatta" an Income Tax Department notice to the wife of party leader Abhishek Singhvi for purchase of diamonds from the company of Nirav Modi, one of the accused in the alleged Rs 11,400 crore PNB fraud case.

Party spokesperson Manish Tewari said it was strange that after five days of action against the defaulting jeweller, the government agencies had come out with only one name -- that of the wife of a Congress leader.

"What could be a bigger case of political vendetta? If the government has the conviction of courage, let them make public the names of all those people who are there on the lists, they claim to have seized," he told reporters.

Tewari claimed it was amazing that for the last five days the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate and other government agencies had created a "complete mirage of activity and ultimately they were able to come out with one name only - the wife of the Congress spokesperson".

Singhvi said he was served an I-T notice for renting of property to Nirav Modi's company and purchase of jewellery allegedly in cash by his wife.

He clarified that neither he nor his family or company has the "remotest lender borrower shareholder or director interest in any Modi/Choksi company. One company Adwait had five year old tenancy to Modi company (vacated in 2017) and my wife purchased some jewellery all paid in cheque".

"Harassment, innuendo, insinuation must have its limits. First leak to friendly media, then issue notice to only one," he alleged on Twitter.

My statement on the baseless allegations levelled by BJP against our family. The #NiravModiLoot is infact a consequence of Suit-Boot sarkar. pic.twitter.com/Vuzpw83D1W

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) February 18, 2018

1/2Repeat wht I said on 17/2-neither my family nor I nor any co of ours has the remotest lender borrower s’holder or director interest in any modi/Chokshi co. 1 co-adwait-had five yr old tenancy to modi co (vacated in 2017) & my wife purchased some jewellery all paid in chq

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) February 20, 2018

2/2 IT has sent questionnaire which wl be answered in accordance with law. All supporting docs wl be produced. But (a) has notice been sent to all others on that list or only one who happens to he in Cong party (b) whose computer seized on which date and how many names on list?

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) February 20, 2018

3/3happen 2be India’s highest taxpayer in my category for many years &often even across diff categories. Purchases in chq of large amts all reflected in accounts. Harassment, innuendo, insinuation must have its limits. 1st leak to friendly media, then issue notice 2only one.

— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) February 20, 2018

He claimed that one could not send a notice based on someone else's computer entry as it was not evidence.

"All Rs 1.56 crore paid for fully in cheque and accounted for with receipts by India’s highest taxpayer," he said in response to the charge that the purchases made were much higher and in cash.

Singhvi also said the queries made by the I-T department would be replied to in accordance with law and all documents asked for would be submitted.

"Don’t intend to give pleasure of trial by media to some sections of so called media which define objectivity as doing government's bidding. Why no notice to anyone else in that list," he asked.

"Are other names on list going to get notice or only me? Receipts, cheques and bills will be produced," he said, asking whether channels would come out with other names in the list of those people who purchased diamonds.

"I hope alleged unaccounted payments for jewellery purchase is not government's best response to Rs 11,300 crore 'ghapla' under its watch? And hope all customers and purchasers on this alleged list get same notices and same attention," he asked.