And it begins....

[Nicky G]

Have the FIR filed ?

Dec 19, 2014, DHNS
“This is a preliminary inquiry into the allegations. No complaint has been registered. An FIR will be filed if prima facie it appears that the allegations are true,” a Lokayukta source said.

Perfect time now, don't you think?

 

[Hindustani78]

No luck with either Sushma or Raje, desperate Congis now escalate to the PM.

Congress alleges deep nexus between Narendra Modi and Lalit Modi - The Hindu

This is why i am saying that this Lalit Modi issue have already become national issue. ED blue corner alert , allowing him to stay in Britain even when his passport was revoked and then issuing of the travel document.

Perfect time now, don't you think?

Feb 3, 2015, DHNS:
Lokayukta refuses to share details of probe against Kharge

 

[Nicky G]

This is why i am saying that this Lalit Modi issue have already become national issue. ED blue corner alert , allowing him to stay in Britain even when his passport was revoked and then issuing of the travel document.

Feb 3, 2015, DHNS:
Lokayukta refuses to share details of probe against Kharge

Of course its a national issue. When you accuse the MEA of impropriety, that's national. Let them attack the PM, it will be interesting to see how and what comes out in the counter? The National Herald case is still going you know?

Besides, the Congis were generous enough to leave a plethora of scams. The HP CM is going to feel the heat first it seems. Then there is Waghela and Chidu in the line. But if they target PM, the Gandhis become fair game. Daamadji might just have to run.

Also notice the political alignment. Who is making noise here. Poor Congis are hopelessly isolated.

 

[Hindustani78]

Of course its a national issue. When you accuse the MEA of impropriety, that's national. Let them attack the PM, it will be interesting to see how and what comes out in the counter? The National Herald case is still going you know?

Besides, the Congis were generous enough to leave a plethora of scams. The HP CM is going to feel the heat first it seems. Then there is Waghela and Chidu in the line. But if they target PM, the Gandhis become fair game. Daamadji might just have to run.

Also notice the political alignment. Who is making noise here. Poor Congis are hopelessly isolated.

'ED yet to approach MEA on Lalit Modi passport'
New Delhi, June 17, 2015 (IANS)

The external affairs ministry can approach the Supreme Court to revoke the passport of former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, who has been termed a "fugitive" by the opposition Congress, only after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) approaches it, said sources.

The ED, which has charged Lalit Modi with financial impropriety in the money-spinning Indian Premier League cricket tourney, has to approach the external affairs ministry which in turn has to present "compelling reasons" to the apex court to overturn the Delhi High Court's August 27, 2014, order to restore the passport to Modi, sources told IANS.

Lalit Modi has been living in London since 2010 following the ED charges against him.
His passport was revoked by the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

Lalit Modi appealed against the decision in the Delhi High Court, which in August last year restored his passport.

The present government, which came to power in May last year, did not challenge the decision in the Supreme Court.

In order to overturn the Delhi High Court decision, the ED will have to approach the MEA and the ministry's passport authority will have to present "new facts and new points" on which the court decision can be challenged, said the sources.


In Chennai, former finance minister P. Chidambaram said Sushma Swaraj should have asked Lalit Modi to go to the Indian High Commission with request for his temporary travel documents, instead of bypassing it.

He said the "conduct of Sushma Swaraj in facilitating travel papers for Lalit Modi raises several questions".

He said Modi's passport was cancelled in 2011 at the request of the ED.
The ED issued show-cause notices and summons to Lalit Modi but he did not respond, he said.

The senior Congress leader has demanded that the government release the letters the previous UPA dispensation sent to the British authorities on the Lalit Modi issue.

"In the interest of transparency, the government of India should release the letters written to the UK Chancellor on the Lalit Modi case," he tweeted.

On Tuesday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said a blue corner notice served to Lalit Modi in 2010 by the ED on the directions of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence still stands.

 

[JanjaWeed]

No luck with either Sushma or Raje, desperate Congis now escalate to the PM.

Congress alleges deep nexus between Narendra Modi and Lalit Modi - The Hindu

Desperate last ditch attempt by the isolated Congress. They are losing this fight... No one wants to give company to Congress apart from insignificant left & begani shadi mai Abdullah deewana AAP. Mamta is not interested in this, neither other usual suspects like Mulayam, Lalu or NCP, or the 3rd largest party in the Parliament AIADMK. No wonder media is getting desperados like AAP into the mix to give company to the isolated congress.

 

[Hindustani78]

Sushma Swaraj, Vasundhara Raje won’t quit, BJP says - The Times of India

There, now poor Arnab will whine and Congis will shout. The real game is to try and use this to stall parliament next session.

Time for BJP to revive some cases that will put Congis in their place.

The monsoon session of the Parliament is important for the government with several bills, including Goods and Services Tax (GST), lined up for clearance by the house.

"The Congress Party will be isolated if it tries to raise the issue of Lalit Modi and tries to stall the Parliament. It only shows that they have been looking for excuses to somehow stall legislation, an important economic legislation in the country...There is no support for the Congress from any important opposition parties," BJP spokesperson told ANI.

*************
(AAP) leader Raghav Chadha

Maintaining that the people of India wanted Modi to act swiftly in the matter, Chadha said, "Whether it is a protest outside the parliament or inside, the AAP will forever take forward the demands and aspirations of the people of India. Today, the people of India, in one voice, want Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act. His silence is deafening, it is worrisome and detrimental to his own credibility."

"With each passing hour, he is showing his accommodative approach towards corruption, he is essentially eroding his own political capital and credibility," he added.

 

[Nicky G]

Desperate last ditch attempt by the isolated Congress. They are losing this fight... No one wants to give company to Congress apart from insignificant left & begani shadi mai Abdullah deewana AAP. Mamta is not interested in this, neither other usual suspects like Mulayam, Lalu or NCP, or the 3rd largest party in the Parliament AIADMK. No wonder media is getting desperados like AAP into the mix to give company to the isolated congress.

BJP has done well in their political maneuvering as far as support in parliament is concerned.

I was not in favor of a truce with the likes of Mamta, however, if it helps in the short term, I suppose I can learn to live with it. Though in the long term she needs to be kicked out. Amma, I am ok with for the most part. AAP will blindly jump into anything that gets them on TV.

The media angle is interesting. I hear some ED notices are in the offing; thus, the frantic desperation to inflate a complete non-issue.

The monsoon session of the Parliament is important for the government with several bills, including Goods and Services Tax (GST), lined up for clearance by the house.

"The Congress Party will be isolated if it tries to raise the issue of Lalit Modi and tries to stall the Parliament. It only shows that they have been looking for excuses to somehow stall legislation, an important economic legislation in the country...There is no support for the Congress from any important opposition parties," BJP spokesperson told ANI.

*************
(AAP) leader Raghav Chadha

Maintaining that the people of India wanted Modi to act swiftly in the matter, Chadha said, "Whether it is a protest outside the parliament or inside, the AAP will forever take forward the demands and aspirations of the people of India. Today, the people of India, in one voice, want Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act. His silence is deafening, it is worrisome and detrimental to his own credibility."

"With each passing hour, he is showing his accommodative approach towards corruption, he is essentially eroding his own political capital and credibility," he added.

Congis, AAP and the Left, a threatening opposition indeed.

 

[Hindustani78]

Congis, AAP and the Left, a threatening opposition indeed.

Monsoon session of the Parliament is important for the Government with several bills.

One is Goods and Services Tax (GST) which are other bills ?

***************
Updated: June 20, 2015 03:04 IST
MEA denies officials were transferred to issue documents to Lalit Modi - The Hindu

The External Affairs Ministry on Friday denied reports that three senior officials had been transferred to sidestep procedures to give U.K. authorities the go-ahead to issue travel documents to former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi.

“The reports of the transfer of the Joint Secretaries in the Ministry are baseless. Additional Secretary heading the Europe West Division was posted as High Commissioner to South Africa in June 2014.The Joint Secretary (Legal & Treaties) division was promoted as Additional Secretary and continued to head the Division till her retirement in March 2015. The Joint Secretary (CPV) was promoted as Additional Secretary ,” a Ministry spokesperson said here.

 

[Hindustani78]

Congis, AAP and the Left, a threatening opposition indeed.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) has the potential to add at least one per cent to the GDP of India.


“This [10 per cent growth rate] is reasonably possible. That is where India’s potential is,” Mr. Jaitley, who is on the second leg of his nine-day U.S. tour, said.

“It is important that we reach that target, but it is more important that we sustain it for a couple of years,” the Finance Minister said at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), a top U.S. think tank.

 

[Hindustani78]

Travel document row: Mumbai top cop Rakesh Maria had met Lalit Modi in London | Zee News
Last Updated: Sunday, June 21, 2015 - 00:03

Mumbai: In a fresh twist to the ongoing controversy over Lalit Modi, Mumbai Commissioner of Police Rakesh Maria on Saturday confirmed that he had met the former IPL chief in London last year.


In a statement, Maria said Modi had sought security for himself and his family in London but he was asked to come back to Mumbai.

Maria, one of the leading anti-terror specialists in the country, said he was approached by a lawyer representing Modi, while he was attending a conference in London in July 2014.

According to the police chief, the lawyer cited reasons of grave threats to the life of Modi and his family.

"It may be recollected that as joint commissioner of police (crime) in the year 2009-10, the Crime Branch under me foiled an attempt on his (Modi's) life by the Mumbai underworld," Maria said in the statement.

According to Maria, the lawyer requested him to meet Modi briefly in view of the threat to his life.

"As per the lawyer's insistence, we met, albeit briefly, wherein Modi sought the Mumbai police's help as he and his family was being threatened by the underworld," he said.

Maria said he categorically informed Modi that Mumbai police has no jurisdiction in London and that he should return to Mumbai to register a formal complaint.

"Lalit Modi kept requesting Mumbai police intervention against the underworld. I reiterated to Modi and his lawyer that it was imperative for Lalit Modi to return to Mumbai for the Mumbai police to initiate any inquiry. Thereafter, the meeting which lasted for 15 to 20 minutes, concluded," he said.

On his return to Mumbai, Maria informed the then state home minister, the late RR Patil about the meeting and also kept a "confidential record" of the same.

Besides, the Anti-Extortion Cell of Mumbai police was also given in writing the details of what transpired in the meeting for discreet inquiry at their end.

Maria is the latest high profile name in the ongoing controversy which has been raging in the Indian political circles since the past few days.

 

[Hindustani78]

Lalit Modi used British royal names for travel papers: report - The Hindu
Updated: June 21, 2015 12:30 IST
Buckingham Palace denied "categorically" that the Duke of York had lobbied the U.K. government on Mr. Modi’s behalf.

Tainted former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi had invoked the names of British royalty, including Prince Charles and his brother Andrew, while seeking his travel papers from the U.K. Home Office, according to a media report on Sunday.

According to The Sunday Times, Andrew — the Duke of York — has known Mr. Modi for several years and met him at his London home last July, just days before his travel papers were granted.

Buckingham Palace refused to say what the two men had discussed but denied "categorically" that the Duke of York had lobbied the U.K. government on Mr. Modi’s behalf.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: “While we would never comment on the private meetings or conversations of members of the royal family, I can confirm that the Duke of York has known Mr. Modi over a number of years. The Duke is fully aware that policy and decisions relating to immigration issues are a matter for the Home Office. It is categorically untrue that he has sought to influence decisions on these issues.”

Clarence House said Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, had met Mr. Modi on “a handful” of occasions at charity functions.


**********************

Lalit Modi dropped British royal names to get travel papers
London, June 21, 2015, PTI:

Tainted former IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi invoked the names of British royalty, including Prince Charles and his brother Andrew, while seeking his travel papers from the UK Home Office, according to a media report today.

According to the report in 'The Sunday Times', Andrew -- the Duke of York and second son of Queen Elizabeth II -- has known Modi for several years and met Modi at his London home last July, just days before his travel papers were granted.

Buckingham Palace refused to say what the two men had discussed but denied "categorically" that the duke had lobbied the UK government on Modi's behalf.

Modi's immigration status in the UK has provoked a storm in India after the UK-based newspaper disclosed that he rang up External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to help him acquire his British travel papers.

Although she says she acted on "humanitarian" grounds, Swaraj has faced calls for her resignation over an apparent conflict of interest.

Modi, 49, travelled to London in 2010 after the Indian Premier League (IPL) became embroiled in allegations of match-fixing and illegal betting.

He denies any wrongdoings and says he came to Britain because he faced death threats from criminals in India.

In March 2014, Modi was granted leave to remain in the UK after a court battle with the Home Office. He later applied for British travel papers, known as a certificate of travel.

In June 2014, Vaz wrote to Sarah Rapson, director-general of UK visas and immigration, asking if the papers "could be made available" to Modi, the paper reported earlier this month.

Vaz said he helped Modi because the former IPL chief had told him that his wife urgently needed cancer treatment abroad and that he needed to accompany her.

On July 2 last year, Vaz raised Modi's case with another Home Office official.

He wrote: "Mr Modi informs me that he met the Prince of Wales (Charles)... and he also met Prince Andrew two days ago. Both offered to help resolve this matter as he was complaining about missing the wedding of his sister and the inability to meet amongst others the president of the Seychelles."

Vaz says he acted on the information given to him by Modi.

Modi's application for a certificate of travel was initially rejected the next day.

On July 21, Andrew, 55, was spotted visiting Modi at his seven-storey townhouse in Chelsea, a posh area of west London.

Vaz intervened with Rapson again on July 31, citing the support of Swaraj.

Modi received his travel papers less than 24 hours later, the newspaper claims.

On August 1, Rapson wrote to Vaz to alert him to the "good news" and also replied directly to a thank-you note from Modi.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: "While we would never comment on the private meetings or conversations of members of the royal family, I can confirm that the Duke of York has known Mr Modi over a number of years.

"The duke is fully aware that policy and decisions relating to immigration issues are a matter for the Home Office. It is categorically untrue that he has sought to influence decisions on these issues."

The spokesman said Andrew had not accepted any hospitality or gifts from Modi and that "the duke was not aware of the detail of allegations" against Modi.

Clarence House said Prince Charles, 66, and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, had met Modi on "a handful" of occasions at charity functions.

Modi has not responded to a request for comment on the latest revelations so far.

 

[Hindustani78]

Transaction between Lalit Modi, Dushyant Singh commercial: Arun Jaitley | Zee News

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, on a nine-day visit to the US, chose to largely stay mum on the controversy surrounding Lalit Modi raging back home but said the tainted former IPL chief's Rs 11 crore transaction with BJP leader Dushyant Singh was a "commercial" one.

"I do not want to comment on him (Modi), but it's a commercial transaction between two individuals," Jaitley said at a press conference here yesterday in response to a question.

The Minister was asked: "What is the government doing on the transaction of Rs 11 crore between Lalit Modi and Dushyant Singh?"

Jaitley responded: "How the government could be concerned with a several year old loan transaction between... Which is a commercial loan transaction by check with all banking approvals in a declared loan transaction."

Singh, son of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, has been under attack over media reports that his company received Rs 11.63 crore in investments from Modi in 2008.

Modi, 49, travelled to London in 2010 after the Indian Premier League (IPL) became embroiled in allegations of match-fixing and illegal betting.

****************

 

[Hindustani78]

Updated: June 22, 2015 02:20 IST
The Union government is mulling over a damage-control plan to try and change the current Lalit Modi controversy-driven narrative before the commencement of the monsoon session of Parliament in July.

the government will push to get the former scam-tainted Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner Lalit Modi back to India to start legal proceedings against him. The effort will be to distance simultaneously External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje from any charges of involvement.

The Enforcement Directorate, it is learnt, is poised to send a letter rogatory to Mauritius in connection with its investigation into a money laundering case, relating to Mr. Lalit Modi’s involvement some years ago in the granting of television rights for IPL matches to certain companies. This could lead to a red-corner notice being issued against the former IPL chairman. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which allows for criminal charges to be pressed against an individual, will enable the ED to press for his arrest and extradition from a foreign country after such a notice is issued.

Time for BJP to revive some cases that will put Congis in their place.

The week gone by also saw the CBI acting against two Congress leaders. In quick succession, the agency launched a preliminary investigation against Mr. Virbhadra Singh, days after it had Mr. Vaghela’s Gandhinagar residence raided.

The case against Mr. Vaghela dates back to the time he was Union Textile Minister and relates to his selling prime land belonging to the National Textile Corporation in Mumbai’s Parel area to a firm, allegedly causing a loss of Rs. 709 crore to the state exchequer in 2007.

Mr. Vaghela, a six-time MP from Gujarat, has always been a special target: he had begun his political career with the BJP, but later fell out with the party. He then joined the Congress in 1998, becoming a Minister in the UPA-I government (2004-09); currently, he is the Leader of the Opposition in the Gujarat Assembly.

 

[Hindustani78]

Prithviraj Chavan says he was unaware of Maria-Lalit Modi meet
Mumbai, Jun 22, 2015, (PTI)
Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today said he was not aware of the visit of Mumbai police Commissioner Rakesh Maria to London and his meeting with former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi last year.
"I was not aware of Maria's visit to London and his meeting with Lalit Modi. Such trips are cleared at the level of Home Minister. I wasn't briefed about it," Chavan, who was the Chief Minister last year told PTI.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, on Sunday asked Maria to provide "information" on his statement regarding his meeting with the tainted ex-IPL boss Lalit Modi.

A fresh controversy had broken out last week in the Lalit Modi episode after Maria admitted that he had met Modi in London in 2014 at the insistence of the latter's lawyer.

Maria came out with a statement on the issue after news channels flashed a photo of the former IPL commissioner and the Mumbai Police Chief.

During the meeting that lasted 15 to 20 minutes, Lalit Modi sought the help of Mumbai police in view of "threat" to his life by the underworld in London, Maria said, adding, he apprised the then Home Minister about the meeting soon after returning from London.

 

[Hindustani78]

By Rahul Tripathi, ET Bureau | 22 Jun, 2015, 01.46AM IST
DRI steps up probe into alleged evasion of customs duty by Lalit Modi - The Economic Times

NEW DELHI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has stepped up its probe into alleged evasion of customs duty by former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi during the import of bombardier challenger aircraft.

The agency has approached Custom Overseas Intelligence Network (COIN), seeking fresh information. The aircraft, imported by travel firm Golden Wings, was reportedly used by Modi during 2009-10, officials said.

This is one of the cases that the government is examining to tighten the noose around Modi, who was granted travel documents by the external affairs ministry despite Indian agencies investigating his role in alleged violations of Foreign Exchange Management Act and customs duty. The DRI case against Modi suffered a setback in 2013 when the Delhi High Court directed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to de-register the aircraft despite the agency's probe.

The aircraft, which was alleged to have been brought to India without payment of customs duty, is said to be parked at Biggin Hill airport at Kent in the United Kingdom. It was taken out of the country in April 2010, days before Modi flew out of India. DRI officials said that they had approached their counterparts in the UK to get more details on the aircraft and its ownership since they suspect that the aircraft is owned by Modi and was bought from the IPL money.

According to the DRI, an exemption in customs duty is given when an aircraft is imported for non-scheduled passenger services or non-scheduled charter services. The agency in its showcause notice has alleged that Modi evaded customs duty of Rs 18.32 crore while importing the aircraft through Mumbai-based Golden Wings, a charge denied by him. The company also informed the DRI that Modi does not own any aircraft in India.

However, the DRI said that the aircraft was imported to evade customs duty by showing it as one meant for the purpose of providing non-scheduled (passenger) services when, in reality, it was for personal use. The agency said that it wanted to confiscate the aircraft since the terms of use were violated by Golden Wings. However, the aircraft was flown out of the country before it could act.

According to the DRI, the aircraft was imported in the name of Golden Wings from Peel Aviation, Ireland on lease for an amount of Rs 10.85 crore for a period of seven years beginning 2008. The cost of the aircraft is said to be Rs 120 crore.

VT-RAK Private Bombardier BD-100-1A10 Challenger 300