The ruling BJP government today hit back at Congress for using ‘chhota Modi’ remark to target the government over Rs 11,400-crore Nirav Modi fraud case, which started in 2011.
Addressing the media here, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the language used by the opposition party is derogatory.
“What is this word 'Chhota Modi'? BJP takes strong offence to the kind of language being used for describing someone like that. It is derogatory, scandalous and demeaning,” he said.
Prasad also rejected Congress’ charge that Nirav Modi was a part of a delegation that accompanied PM Narendra Modi during his Davos visit recently.
“Nirav Modi did not meet PM Modi at Davos. Nirav Modi had arrived in Davos on his own and was present at CII group photo event,” he clarified.
The Minister also claimed he has photographs of Mehul Chinubhai Choksi – maternal uncle of Nirav Modi, with Congress leaders.
Highlights of Ravi Shankar Prasad's press conference:
# Congress' 'chhota Modi' remark condemnable, shameful: Prasad
5:26 pm: Congress president Rahul Gandhi is not here because of his capabilities, because of his family (background): Ravi Shankar Prasad
# On Vijay Mallya, Prasad said that government is taking effective steps. "Actions are being taken in London".
5:23 pm: Under Modi government, no banks have reported fresh NPAs. No loans disbursed during our regime have turned NPAs: Union Minister
# Ravi Shankar Prasad’s cites Congress’ leader Punawala’s tweet to allege that Rahul Gandhi had attended an event of Nirav Modi in September 2013 at a Delhi hotel.
5:20 pm: Satyam, 2G, coal scams took place during UPA's tenure: Pavi Shankar
# Nirav Modi did not meet PM Modi at Davos. Nirav Modi had arrived in Davos on his own and was present at CII group photo event: Prasad
5:15 pm: Congress should stop politics of photographs. Nirav Modi had visited Davos on his own: Prasad
# What is this word 'Chhota Modi' ? BJP takes strong offence to the kind of language being used by describing someone like that. It is derogatory, scandalous and demeaning
5:12 pm: Congress’ ‘chhota Modi’ language derogatory, says Ravi Shankar Prasad
# The complaint was made on January 29 and an FIR was lodged after that. Til lnow, CBI and ED have taken speedy action in the wake of the complaint. ED has raided 9 properities including threee in Surat, 4 in Mumbai and 2 in Delhi. Rs 1,300 cr has been seized and action has been taken to revoke the passport. Lookout notice has also been issued.
5:10 pm: I wish to make it very clear and this I can also convey on the behalf of the government that no shall be spared in the banking system who has sought to derail ordinary banking system to help Nirav Modi. This is regardless of stature and status of concerned official: Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad
According to the PNB, the fraud was detected on January 25 and was reported to the investigative agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on January 29.
