New Delhi, April 7
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday demanded Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's resignation, saying one of those linked to the 'Panama Papers' was the BJP leader's friend Lokesh Sharma.
Jaitley should also reveal what kind of relations he has with Sharma, AAP leader Ashutosh said here.
He said a free and fair probe into the 'Panama Papers' was doubtful as long as Jaitley was in the union cabinet.
"Lokesh Sharma, who owns Twenty First Century Media (TCM), is Jaitley's friend from college days. In the Panama Papers leaks, it has been revealed that Sharma opened two shell companies in the tax haven of British Virgin Island and was a promoter in the third," Ashutosh said.
The 'Panama Papers', published globally and in India by the Indian Express, give a glimpse into an extensive network of shell companies and secret entities in tax havens globally. According to the Express, more than 500 Indians are involved.
The AAP leader said the government had announced a multi-agency inquiry into the 'Panama Papers'. "But how will he (Jaitley) investigate charges against his own friend, whom he benefited during his tenure as the DDCA chief?"
Ashutosh said that as the Delhi District and Cricket Association (DDCA) chief, Jaitley in 2002 awarded a contract to build VIP boxes at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium here to Sharma's company without floating tenders.
"Moreover, this was decided at a meeting held in Jaitley's office when he was the union commerce minister. Why did the meeting not take place at the DDCA office?"
The AAP leader also attacked Sharma.
"Why did Sharma have to set up his companies in a tax haven? Did he take the Reserve Bank of India's permission before opening shell companies or did he mention these companies while filing tax returns?"
"Was it his own money or was he a frontman for someone? He must answer these questions," Ashutosh said.
Jaitley must recuse from 'Panama Papers' probe: Congress
The Congress on Thursday demanded that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley "recuse" himself from the 'Panama Papers' probe to ensure the multi-agency investigation was free and fair.
The opposition party also asked for a Supreme Court-monitored probe.
"We don't believe in the agencies of Arun Jaitley. The government has set up a multi-agency panel to investigate the matter but an independent probe is not possible. We, therefore, demand he recuse himself from any probe involving the 'Panama Papers' leaks," senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said here.
"How will the government conduct an independent probe in the Panama Papers leaks when the finance minister himself awarded a contract to Twenty First Century Media Private Limited as DDCA president (to construct VIP boxes at Ferozeshah Kotla here)," Ramesh said.
"Hence, we demand an independent probe which is possible only by a Supreme Court-monitored Special Investigation Team," he added.
Ramesh said that as Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) president, Jaitley had awarded a contract to the company run by Lokesh Sharma, whose name has surfaced in the 'Panama Papers'.
In a DDCA executive committee meeting in October 2000, when Jaitley was its president, an agreement was signed with the company with regard to in-stadia advertisements during international matches for three years.
The 'Panama Papers' have allegedly revealed that Sharma, the company managing director, has two firms registered in the tax haven of British Virgin Islands.
"Jaitley must also clarify the background of Twenty First Century Media Private Limited and why it was awarded the DDCA contract. He must also clarify whether he knew about Lokesh Sharma's offshore entities," added Ramesh.
