Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy is in no mood to give up. After filing 10 Request to Information (RTI) to the Finance Ministry, this time Swamy has sent another set of 10 RTIs seeking replies on various issues. The new set of 10 RTIs is specifically on the controversial decisions and matters related to Finance Secretary Hasmukh Adhia. The questions were related to the appointment of Hasmukh Adhia relatives in different organisations he chaired, Adhia’s action in Black Money case prosecutions related to the tainted former Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Adhia’s opinions on cases related to NDTV frauds probes, and his interventions in Coal Scam import probe of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

Swamy also filed RTI queries on the tax exemption given by Hasmukh Adhia to Gujarat’s GIFT City Project and the appointments of his relatives in the Project. He also details tax exemptions given by the Finance Secretary to collapsed infrastructure finance firm IL&FS and service tax exemptions to fugitive Vijay Mallya’s Kingfisher Group.

The BJP MP has also sought questions on the Finance Secretary’s orders and interactions with former State Bank of India (SBI) Chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya in connection with the resistance of SBI in providing details of its Singapore branch, of over-invoicing frauds by Adani Group in the Coal Import Scam. It is widely believed that Adhia played a role in saving the Adani Group from DRI’s probe by diluting the case. Swamy had already complained to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this matter, urging admonishing Adhia for conspiracy with Adani in collapsing the case of DRI[1].

He also sought details of Adhia’s interventions, orders related to many sensitive cases and probes under Black Money Act including the prosecution against Chidambaram’s family members. It is widely believed that the file noting regarding this will expose Adhia for delaying many probes including against Chidambaram, even after Prime Minister’s strict orders. Swamy also sought Adhia’s opinions recorded in file regarding the Income Tax and Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) probes against the NDTV caught for money laundering and tax evasions. Sources have told PGurus that Adhia kept the relevant files with him for months deliberately to delay the Income Tax and ED probes against the NDTV Frauds.

Attacking Adhia personally, Swamy also sought the reason for his trips to Karnataka and especially to Mysore. He also sought the purpose of these private trips of Adhia.

In the first set of 10 RTIs Swamy had asked for the details of GSTN frauds, tax exemptions given by Adhia to Anil Ambani firms and Ratan Tata’s trusts. He also sought details on controversy related to accepting Gold Biscuits by Adhia from fugitive Nirav Modi as Diwali gift on 2016[2].

It is learned that panicky Adhia rushed to the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with the copies of these RTIs. The Finance Ministry had transferred these RTIs to concerned offices to give reply to Swamy within the stipulated time of 30 days specified in the RTI Act. Swamy has already written to Arun Jaitley for giving Sanction to Prosecute Adhia for many corrupt and controversial decisions, leading to loss of exchequer.

References:

[1] Swamy accuses sabotage in the probe on Coal Import Scam and Adhia’s complicity in saving Adani. Urges PM to intervene – Oct 1, 2018, PGurus.com

[2] Subramanian Swamy files 10 RTIs to Finance Ministry seeking GSTN funding, Tax exemptions to Tata & Ambani & Adhia’s Gold Biscuits – Oct 6, 2018, PGurus.com