Congress seeks Jaitley’s resignation, SIT probe

Jaitley has chosen not to give any legal notice to Kejriwal and other AAP leaders asking them to apologise or face defamation cases.

Phoolka asserted that his party would not only prove that the leaders are innocent but also confirm that the allegations leveled against Arun Jaitley are correct. “Will BJP and Shri Arun Jaitley now adhere to the same goalpost?” party’s chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala asked.

In the civil suit, he said, “by all acts of omissions and commissions by the defendants including making false, baseless, scandalous, malicious statements/allegations against the plaintiff, they have made themselves liable individually and collectively for the irreversible and unquantifiable damage caused to the plaintiff”.

Vishwas said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was the first person in the government “who tried to expose the corruption in DDCA”.

Shah’s statement comes against the backdrop of the fierce attack by AAP and its government against Jaitley, seeking his resignation over alleged financial irregularities in DDCA during his 13-year tenure as its head between 1999-2013. AAP alleges that the CBI officers carried out the raid to search for DDCA files to help the finance minister. Reacting to Jaitley’s decision of filing defemation pleas, AAP spokesperson Ashutosh said, “Mr. Jaitley, don’t threaten us with defamation”.

While Azad refrained from naming anyone for the alleged bungling, Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) again sought the sacking of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who for years headed the DDCA. “In any case, all the full facts would be revealed in the enquiry I have suggested, and if Jaitley is cleared in such an enquiry he would emerge with flying colours, and can be reappointed as a Minister”, said Justice Katju.

The Finance Minister has rubbished the allegations of irregularities against him and his family. “Jaitley has impeccable character, honesty and high standards in public life”, said union minister Venkaiah Naidu in the lok sabha.

Azad said the probe into the DDCA by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), done under the previous Congress-led UPA regime, was of a civil nature.

The Delhi government had also ordered a probe into the alleged dealings of DDCA but the state board’s treasurer Ravinder Manchandana asserted that they are not answerable to the state government.