Cong paid MPs to vote for N-deal: WikiLeaks

New Delhi: The WikiLeaks India cables have produced some more explosive details. The latest one is on the controversial voting on the 2008 Indo-US civil nuclear deal.
WikiLeaks says five days before the first United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government of Manmohan Singh faced a crucial vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha on the deal, Congress leader Satish Sharma's aide Nachiketa Kapur showed a US Embassy employee two chests containing cash.
The aide said that he was part of a bigger fund of Rs 50 to 60 crore that the Congress had assembled to purchase the support of MPs for the nuclear deal.
He also claimed that four MPs belonging to Ajit Singh's Rashtriya Lok Dal had already been paid Rs 10 crore each, to ensure they voted the right way in the Lok Sabha.
The WikiLeaks cable accessed by 'The Hindu' was sent to the US State Department on July 17, 2008. In the cable, US Charge d'Affaires Steven White described Satish Sharma as "a close associate of former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi considered to be a very close family friend of Sonia Gandhi."
Satish Sharma, while interacting with a US diplomat reportedly told him that he and the others in the party were working hard to ensure the UPA government won the vote of confidence on July 22.
Apparently, Nachiketa Kapur mentioned to a US Embassy aide that money was not an issue at all, but the crucial thing was to ensure that the MPs voted the right way.
However, Ajit Singh who didn't vote for the UPA during the trust vote has slammed the expose.
"I have three and not four MPs so the facts in WikiLeaks are wrong. I had decided a long time back to go along with the Left, and not to vote for the UPA. So the question of negotiating with money doesn't arise. There was no question of influence on me to change my stand," said Singh.
There is embarrassment in store for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) too. Satish Sharma also said that he was exploring the possibility of trying to get former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's son-in-law Ranjan Bhattacharya to speak to BJP representatives to try to and divide the BJP ranks.
Three MPs - Ashok Argal, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Singh Bhagora - belonging to the BJP had on July 22, 2008 stunned the nation by brandishing wads of cash in the Lok Sabha shortly before the Manmohan Singh government was to face the trust vote.
The trio had accused former Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi's Political Secretary Ahmad Patel of offering them bribes to abstain during the trust vote.

The Manmohan Singh government won the vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha with 275 MPs voting in favour of the UPA and 256 against it.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cong-bought-confidence-votes-for-nuclear-deal/146176-3.html

Oppn corners Govt on 'pro-US' Cabinet reshuffle

New Delhi: The Opposition has demanded answers from the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government after the latest Wikileaks expose revealed the United States of America celebrated Murli Deora replacing Mani Shankar Aiyar's as the petroleum minister in 2006. The Wikileaks cables claim that India's foreign policy and domestic affairs, including the 2006 Cabinet reshuffle were done keeping in mind American interests.
As first reported by 'The Hindu', leaked Wikileaks cables referred to the Cabinet reshuffle of the UPA in 2006 in which Deora replaced Aiyar as the petroleum minister.
A cable sent by then US Ambassador David C Mulford to Washington said that Deora's appointment signified a "determination to ensure that US/India relations continue to move ahead rapidly."
Mulford in his cable further said that the reshuffle would "likely to be excellent for US goals in India (and Iran)".
However, Aiyar said that he was expecting to be moved out of the Petroleum Ministry in the Cabinet reshuffle "I was given temporary charge of the ministry, I was told explicitly that this is a temporary charge. I thought that maybe I'll be there for a week or two. As it is I was there for twenty months. So, it is not surprising that in the first opportunity when the reshuffle took place, I was relieved of my charge," said Aiyar while reacting to the Wikileaks cables.

The Opposition in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday alleged that the pro-American shift by the UPA Government was a "shameful" act. "The fact that they (USA) believe that they have been sucessful in promoting their interest whether it is on Iran or on oil, I think it's a shame for India," said CPI(M) member Brinda Karat The Left party raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha and said the Wikileaks cable quoted Mulford as saying that there was "undeniable pro-American tilt" in the then Cabinet reshuffle.

The matter was raised during Zero Hour by Rajeeve, who said that Aiyar, seen by the US as "contentious and outspoken Iran pipeline advocate", was replaced by "pro-US" Murli Deora.
He said a chain of US embassy cables reveal the pro-US position of the Indian government on several issues.

Amid shouts of "shame" Rajeeve said America felt the net effect of the Cabinet reshuffle was "likely to be excellent for the US goals in India (and Iran)."

The CPI-M member, supported by his party colleagues and BJP and Shiv Sena, said there was also a reference in the cables to the inclusion of Saifuddin Soz, Anand Sharma, Ashwani Kumar and Kapil Sibal "with strong pro-US credentials".

They revealed that India was not ready to share the details of investigations into 26/11 Mumbai attack with Pakistan initially. But after continuous pressure (from the US), the Home Minister agreed to share the information, he said.
The US quotes about "Kerala Mafia" in PMO also provoked members to shout slogans "shame on the government". They demanded a response from the government but it was not acceded to by Deputy Chairman K Rahman Khan.
Citing rules, Khan did not allow members to seek response from the government.
He also repeatedly pointed to Karat, observing that she was breaking the rules.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/oppn-corners-govt-on-prous-cabinet-reshuffle/146001-37-64.html

'Not a single case against Hasan Ali, what do you want his custody for?' Court asks ED

MUMBAI: Slamming the Enforcement Directorate over its handling of the Hasan Ali Khan money laundering case, a local court today observed it was not able to make out even a single case against the businessman to seek his custody and asked the agency to do its "homework". 

"You people are not able to make out even a single case against him (Khan), so what do you want his custody for? What do you want to investigate him for? You people show one offence against him and then we can talk of custody," Principal Sessions Court Judge M L Tahaliyani said pulling up the ED, which is already facing heat from Supreme Court. 

The judge raised these questions while giving a severe tongue lashing to the ED even before its counsel could begin her arguments seeking the remand of 53-year-old Pune-based stud farm owner for custodial interrogation. 

"You can't keep any person in custody unless you make a case (against him)," the Judge said. Khan was yesterday remanded in custody of ED for one day and will remain in its custody till the court, which will resume hearing tomorrow, gives its order on the remand application. 

The court was apparently peeved at Public Prosecutor N Punde's apparent failure to explain the case against Khan under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. 

The PP's admission that they were relying on certain documents ED had received from undisclosed sources, further infuriated the Judge, who said, "How can you rely on those documents from undisclosed sources." 

The court pulled up the ED for not being able to show that Seven lakh dollars that was claimed to have been transferred from Khan's Sarasin Bank account in Switzerland was tainted money or proceeds of crime. "So far you have not been able to show me anything", said Tahilyani. 

When the ED counsel referred to Khan obtaining multiple passports using fake documents, an angry Tahaliyani asked," Did he make money from the passport?" 

"If you want to do some home work you can take time", said the judge and adjourned the hearing till tomorrow. 

Earlier, after hearing arguments from ED and Khan's counsel I P Bagadia on the question of jurisdiction of his court to hear the case, Tahaliyani ruled that the matter could be heard by him. 

The Judge had yesterday adjourned the proceedings, saying the matter should first be brought before the metropolitan magistrate. 

In its application seeking Khan's remand, the ED had referred to the huge amounts stashed away by him abroad and links to international arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. 

The application also speaks about the multiple passports he had acquired using forged documents. Khan had been arrested by Mumbai police in this connection after the Regional Passport Office filed a complaint against him in 2008. He was later enlarged on bail. 

The ED said Khan had given instructions to transfer funds from his foreign bank accounts to various accounts outside India. It said that USD 700,000 was transferred from Khan's account in Sarasin Bank in Switzerland to the account of S K Financial Services based in the UK maintained by Barclays Bank, London through Citi Bank, New York. 

The ED accused Khan of dealing in, acquiring and holding foreign exchange equivalent to Rs 36,000 crore. 

On his Khashoggi links, it said," This requires intensive probe as it has a bearing on national security as well." 

While taking note of accusations of Khan's links with Khashoggi and those involved in terror activities, the Supreme Court had yesterday asked the probe agencies to weigh the option of booking him under anti-terror law. 

The ED also said that it had seized laptops and incriminating documents during the searches conducted at Khan's premises. 

While accusing Khan of not cooperating in the investigations, ED said it apprehended that he may tamper with evidence and dispose of the money lying in his bank accounts. 

Khan, a real estate agent and stud farm owner, was arrested on Monday midnight after prolonged searches at his Pune and Mumbai residences and sustained grilling that lasted several hours. 

The Supreme Court last week came down heavily on the ED for not being able to go after Khan and other alleged black money hoarders.




http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Not-a-single-case-against-Hasan-Ali-what-do-you-want-his-custody-for-Court-asks-ED/articleshow/7664136.cms

PM accepts CVC responsibility in Rajya Sabha

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/pm-accepts-cvc-responsibility-in-rajya-sabha/145301-37-64.html

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday accepted his responsibility for appointing PJ Thomas as Central Vigilance Commissioner (CVC) in Rajya Sabha - a day after doing so in the Lok Sabha.

"We respect the verdict of the Supreme Court. There has been an error on our part...I take full responsibility," said Manmohan Singh while accepting responsibility.

The Supreme Court on Thursday quashed the appointment of Thomas as the CVC.

"I was not aware of case in palmolein case against Thomas till Leader of Opposition Sushma Swaraj raised it at the committee's meeting," said the PM.
 

The Prime Minister also said, he believed that vigilance matters must have been looked into as Thomas was earlier appointed Kerala Chief Secretary and Secretary to the Government of India.
 
The shortlisting was done by Minister of State in the Department of Personnel, the Prime Minister informed the House.
 
"I am also minister incharge of DoPT and therefore I accept responsibility," he said.

In reply to the Prime Minister's statement, Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said, "The institution of the CVC should be made more strong. Errors, which PM pointed out, should not be repeated in the future."

Jaitley also questioned, "Was high power committee knew about the charge against one of the candidate for CVC? Why person who had chargesheet was preferred over the two other who had relatively clearer record?"

"We want to know why a person (Thomas) who was chargesheeted chosen over two others who had a clean record," said Jaitley.

"PM has been gracious enough to accept responsibility, but whoever was responsible for pushing the name of Thomas (for CVC) must be made accountable," he added.

"Parliament must be told what pressure was there on the Government for appointing Thomas as CVC," said CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury.

SC asks why POTA can't be invoked against Ali

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sc-asks-why-pota-cant-be-invoked-against-ali/145266-3.html

New Delhi: The Supreme Court came down hard on the Central Government over the black money issue and the case of top tax defaulter Hasan Ali. The court on Tuesday asked the Government why Ali, who has been accused of massive money laundering, tax evasion, for having links with arm dealers and people linked to terror activities, should not be charged under the stringent anti-terror laws.

The court asked why Ali cannot be charged under other penal provisions like Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), Money Laundering Act and the anti-terror law - The Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).

"On the basis of the information collected by Enforcement Directorate it seems there is an angle of arms terrorism and national security. In fact why POTA can not be invoked against the Hasan Ali," the court observed.

The two-judge bench of justices B Sudershan Reddy and SS Nijjar also asked why the passport case against Ali should not be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
 
However, Ali claimed that he was being framed by the investigators.

"I am innocent. They are just putting me in problems. I don't understand what's going on," said Ali in Mumbai.
 
Ali, who owns stud farms in Pune, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate late on Monday night after being questioned for over six hours. He was taken to Mumbai's JJ Hospital after he complained of high blood pressure and kidney trouble on Tuesday.

During the hearing on the black money case, Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium informed the Supreme Court that Ali's custody would be sought by the Enforcement Directorate and that a case has been made out against him.

Subramanium also informed that the Arun Mathur, the director of the Enforcement Directorate, was personally overseeing the investigation in the Ali case.

The matter has been adjourned to March 18.

Bofors: political war begins as CBI drops case

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bofors-political-war-begins-as-cbi-drops-case/145011-37-64.html

New Delhi: Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Tees Hazari Court Justice Vinod Yadav on Friday accepted the CBI's petition of withdrawing prosecution against one of the most wanted men in Bofors Kickback case, Ottavio Quattrocchi.

The case against Italian businessman Quattrocchi, the main accused in Bofors Gun Deal Kickbacks, was withdrawn citing wastage of time and money.

A sum of Rs 250 crore has been spent in the investigation and nothing will be gained by continuing any further as all attempts to extradite Quattrocchi have failed in the past, said Justice Yadav.

There are several cases pending in subordinate courts and people will continue to languish if we keep persisting with never ending cases, he stressed.

"If this is true, then all undertrials who have been suffering for decades should be granted amnesty," said Petitioner Ajay Agarwal.

In the past two decades, the Bofors scam investigations have seen several flip flops.

On January 20, 1990, CBI filed a criminal case to find out who were the benficiaries of kickbacks from the Bofors deal.

Two charge sheets were filed by the CBI in this case on October 22, 1999 and then on October 9, 2000.

In 2003 and 2007, the CBI failed to extradite Quattrocchi, named as the main accused, back to India.

Finally in 2009, it first removed the red corner notice against Quattrocchi and then sought permission to withdraw prosectuion against him.

And the verdict had predictable political responses.

"Good that this is over," said Congress leader Salman khursheed.

"Truth has no closure," said BJP spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The judiciary may go by the CBI closure report and close the case, but with the Opposition jumped into the fray, the case will be far from over politically

Sibal under SC fire for comments on CAG

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/sc-raps-sibal-for-questioning-cag-on-2g-scam/141084-3.html

New Delhi: Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal came in for severe criticism by the Supreme Court for his press statements questioning the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report in the 2G spectrum scam case.

The Supreme Court bench of Justices GS Singhvi and AK Ganguly on Friday castigated Sibal, saying the minister should behave responsibly and ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to carry out investigations in the 2G scam without being influenced by any statement made in press.

"It is unfortunate. The minister should behave with some sense of responsibility," the court said.

The court also issued notices to 11 telecom companies and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on a petition by Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy seeking cancellation of telecom licences.

Swamy said that Sibal should quit after being pulled up by the Supreme Court

"Justice Ganguly said that Kapil Sibal's statement was most unfortunate. This is a rap on the knuckles of Kapil Sibal, either he should improve or he should get out," said Swamy.

"The bench said that we hope that CBI will not come under any influence and will listen to the court only. Supreme Court said that CBI should consider CAG report and continue investigating prima facie the CAG report. I have also appealed that these licenses should be auctioned again on teh lines of petrol pump," he said.

According to the CAG report the allocation of 2G spectrum during the tenure of former telecom minister A Raja cost the national exchequer a loss of Rs 1.76 lakh crore.