Rahul questions I-T clean chit to Sahara

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi on Thursday questioned the “clean chit” given by the Income Tax Settlement Commission (ITSC) to the Sahara group on papers alleging payment of kickbacks to some politicians.

“Immunity for Sahara or immunity for Modiji? If your conscience is clear Modiji why fear investigation?” Rahul tweeted.

Rahul’s remark came amid reports that the ITSC had granted Sahara immunity from prosecution by agreeing to its contention that “loose sheets” recovered during Income Tax (I-T) raids could not be used as evidence.

At a rally in Gujarat last month, the Congress vice president had waved copies of emails and some notings purportedly recovered during the I-T raid on a Sahara employee, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his tenure as Gujarat chief minister, received kickbacks from the corporate house.

Rahul had sought a Supreme Court-monitored inquiry into the Sahara papers.

Hearing on Jan 11
An NGO has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking an inquiry into the Sahara/Birla papers. The matter is expected to come up for hearing on January 11.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had levelled the same allegations earlier which were later picked up by the Congress leader.

The BJP has dismissed the allegations as baseless and an attempt by the Congress to stave off the heat it is facing over the CBI investigation into the purchase of VVIP choppers during the UPA regime.