PNB Rs 11,000-cr fraud: Nirav Modi had clear access to prime minister, says Arvind Kejriwal

New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party on Thursday mounted an attack on the Centre over an alleged multi-million dollar scam involving diamantaire Nirav Modi, alleging that he could flee the country because he had access to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The billionaire jewellery designer and businessman, against whom a complaint was lodged with the CBI by the Punjab National Bank on 29 January for his alleged involvement in the scam, had flown out of India on 1 January.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal asked if he had left the country with the backing of the government.

“Is it possible to believe that he or (businessman) Vijay Mallya left the country without the active connivance of BJP government?” Kejriwal tweeted.

In another tweet, senior AAP leader Ashutosh said 42 FIRs against Modi had been sent to the PMO since 26 July, 2016. Yet, he was seen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Davos at the World Economic Forum last month.

“42 FIRs sent to PMO on 26 July, 2016, PMO acknowledged too. But no action,” he tweeted, adding that Modi was seen with the prime minister in Davos.

“And now he has fled. Why PMO did not take action,” he asked. “Why he was allowed to flee India (sic)?”.

Ashutosh was referring to a photograph in which the prime minister is seen with some of the country’s business honchos at the WEF. The photograph was also tweeted by Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha.

“Nirav can’t be seen photographed with the prime minister unless everyone present in the pic is scanned and approved by PMO (sic),” Ashutosh tweeted.

“If PMO knew about the FIRs against Nirav then why he was allowed to be in picture! Its clear man has access to the top! (sic),” Ashutosh said in another tweet.