Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on February 2, said that the central investigation agencies are professional in their approach and they take ample time to prepare their cases given that every aspect is monitored by the court.
Her response was in the backdrop of opposition parties’ allegation that the BJP-led central government was using federal agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) against its political opponents.
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She said that many of the cases pursued by the CBI, ED or Income Tax do not reach the point of requesting custodial or immediate arrest overnight adding that a significant number of these cases were initiated during the tenure of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
In an exclusive interview with Network18 Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, the Union Finance Minister said, “You know the Indian system. The level and the time consumed for each stage to mature and to reach a stage where summons are being served, it consumes a lot of time. Many of these cases are from that era (UPA). It’s not what we have done.”
If a survey or a search happens, the sleuths have not come empty-handed, said Sitharaman, adding that rooms full of cash have been found and everything is videographed these days.
“When we are talking about the common man adopting technology and embracing digital payments, there are still people sitting with tons of currency notes in their homes. Nowadays, everything is videographed. I can’t claim to have found a significant amount of cash in your house without proper proof,” said the finance minister.
The video shows tons of cash being kept in the bedroom and lockers. “What explains that?” she questioned.
“It is very well to use that as a whip to hit at the ruling party to say you’re using ED or CBI. These are professional agencies and take ample time to prepare their cases because everything is being monitored by the court,” said Sitharaman.
“You may cry hoarse, saying it is being politically used. I am sorry, but it is something that was the case during your era. You filed cases against your ally. There are partners in crime, and there are partners and enemies also,” said the finance minister.
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