Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday dismissed allegations from opposition parties about individuals being targeted by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, stating that the majority of cases pursued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) involve individuals and entities not related to politics. In an interview with ANI, he emphasised that law-abiding citizens have no cause for concern, but those engaged in corruption should be wary of facing consequences, citing a "fear of sin" among wrongdoers.
What did PM Modi say?
"How many opposition leaders are in jail? No one tells me. And is this the same opposition leader... who used to run their government? There is fear of sin (paap ka dar hai). What fear does an honest person have? They had put my Home Minister in jail when I was Chief Minister. The country should understand that political leaders are involved in only 3 per cent of the ED cases and 97 per cent of cases are registered against the ones who do not belong to the politics," the Prime Minister said. "They are either drug mafia, officers who are involved in corruption, against some of the officers who have created benami assets and they have been sent to jail," he added.
How much money ED attached before 2014?
Prime Minister Modi also commended the central probe agency for its role in combating corruption, highlighting its increased effectiveness since he assumed office in 2014. He pointed out that prior to 2014, the ED had only attached assets worth Rs 5,000 crore. "Did anyone stop ED from taking action and who were getting benefitted? In my tenure, assets worth Rs 1 lakh crore have been attached. Is this not the money of the people of the country?" PM asked.
"In the last ten years, we have recovered Rs 2200 crore in cash, while ED before 2014, could only recover Rs 34 lakh cash which can be carried in a school bag. While 70 small trucks (chota haathi) will be needed to keep Rs 2200 crore. It means that the ED is doing a good job," he added. Prime Minister said that corruption has destroyed the country and it has to be tackled with full might. "They (ED) have held people and seized cash as well and I am convinced that the corruption had destroyed the country. We should fight against corruption with our full strength. And this is my personal conviction," he said.
Opposition's concerns over misuse of central agencies
Notably, leaders of the I.N.D.I.A bloc have reiterated their concerns regarding the alleged targeting of opposition figures by the ruling BJP through what they perceive as the misuse of central agencies. In a letter addressed to the Election Commission of India on March 22, the I.N.D.I.A bloc asserted that the arrests of individuals holding constitutional positions are aimed at stifling democratic functioning within their respective states and parties.
The representation was made following the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the excise policy case, which involved alleged irregularities and money laundering in the framing and implementation of the Delhi excise policy in 2022. Notably, the case was subsequently scrapped. Other prominent figures, such as BRS leader K Kavitha and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, are also reportedly detained in Tihar Jail in connection with the same case.
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