New Delhi: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money decided to widen its probe as new names of Indians with Swiss bank accounts have come up. But they made it clear that legal action will be taken only after verifying the facts.
Justice M.B. Shah, chairperson of the Supreme Court-appointed Special Investigation Team (SIT) on black money, said instructions had been given to the government at a scheduled meeting held on Monday to identify the illegal accounts.
Speaking to The Hindu via phone conversation, Justice Shah said the onus was on the government and revenue agencies to act with “promptitude.” Once the illegal accounts were identified, the SIT would ensure that swift action would follow against them under the law.
“During the scheduled meeting today, the government was asked to act with utmost promptitude. We have to first verify how many accounts in this list are legal and how many illegal,” Justice Shah said.
Justice Shah said there should be no delay following the assurance given to the apex court. The SIT is scheduled to file a detailed report in the Supreme Court on the status of investigations by mid-April 2015.
In a January hearing before a Supreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice of India H.L. Dattu, Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi said prosecution of black money holders would be completed by March 31, 2015.
The Indian list of Swiss accounts, now reported at 1,195 from 628, came even as the government is completing its prosecution into the original list of 628 Indian account holders.
