Black Money: Supreme Court corners Modi govt but gives major boost to Kejriwal

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New Delhi, Oct 30: Despite its move of submitting a list of 627 names in connection with the black money case, Modi government at the centre has been cornered by the Supreme Court . The apex court has been pressurising the government to disclose all names overruling the government's concern for violation of treaties with other countries.

However, the apex court indeed gave a major boost to the national convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) -- Arvind Kejriwal. The top court constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the black money case. The SIT has been asked to submit a status report by Nov 30 and the final report by Mar 2015.

The SIT now declared that it will collect valid information regarding black money case from public. It has been reported that the panel is expected to release an email id where anyone can give information.

According to a report published on Zee News, a source in SIT claimed that public can give the panel credible information on black money and the SIT will investigate that information. However, the panel needs credible inputs, it will not go on a fishing expedition.

Kejriwal, who earlier had claimed to have a list of names who allegedly had stashed untaxed money in foreign banks, got a chance to help the SIT. Kejriwal now will be able to send all information related to black money and may help the panel to continue their probe in the case.

How did the SC help Kejriwal in black money case?

Recently when the government revealed seven business tycoon's names in front of the Supreme Court, Kejriwal had asserted Modi government too did not reveal all names intentionally.

Kejriwal, during a press conference on Oct 27, said, "We will ask for time (from SIT) and we will give our suggestions and also give the names."

"We will request that the investigation be done in a time-bound manner and strictest action be taken because my information is that action is being taken against those whose names are there in that list in a selective manner," he added.

Modi govt's stand on black money:

The Central government on Tuesday, Oct 28 submitted a list of 627 Indians in a sealed cover. The Indians have stashed untaxed money in HSBC Bank, Geneva.

The government now asked the Supreme Court to moderate its previous order as the Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said, "We don't have anything to hide."

"But we only have one request. Nothing should be done by your lordships to impede the government's ability to get further information by entering into new treaties and agreements- bilateral and international- where the confidentiality clause is very binding. Revealing of information also has its impact on double taxation avoidance agreements," added Rohtagi who has been representing the government in the court.

What's Supreme Court's stand on black money:

Despite receiving 627 names, the court asked the Modi govt to raise all its bilateral, international agreement obligation and confidentiality clause before the SIT.

The SIT comprises two retired SC judges -- Justices MB Shah and Arijit Pasayat as chairman and vice chairman respectively.

Chief Justice of India (CJI) HL Dattu told, "We give you (govt) liberty to place all your difficulties and grievances regarding treaties and confidentiality clause before the SIT. We are confident it will have a solution to your problem."

The CJI also said, "We would not have asked for the full list of names for ourselves. But see you (Centre) started the problem by asking for a modification and clarification on order to disclose the names."

"Then we had a suspicion on your intention and this prompted us to ask for the list. We had earlier placed faith in the SIT. It knew its job as we have authorised them. They are not laymen," added the CJI while cornering the central government to change its stand of not disclosing all names citing treaties with foreign countries.

OneIndia News