Speaking to Karan Thapar on India Today TV's program To The Point, Sorabjee pointed out that accusations against Sushma Swaraj do not call for her resignation, she was helping a friend.

Former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee has come out in support of embattled External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje in the Lalit Modi controversy, saying the BJP leaders did nothing which should compel them to step down.

Speaking to Karan Thapar on India Today TV's program To The Point, Sorabjee pointed out that accusations against Sushma Swaraj do not call for her resignation, she was helping a friend.

While stopping short of calling it a clean chit for the leaders, Sorabjee said a wrong precedent is being set. "I don't want to call it a clean chit. But they haven't got anything damning against them (Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara Raje ) that should compel them to resign."

When asked whether Swaraj's alleged help to Lalit Modi was abuse of power, Sorabjee said, "No, I don't think so. Unless there is a direct nexus with the office she is occupying, the functions she is discharging. Did that affect India's security or India's international image? Accusations don't call for her resignation."

The former Attorney General, however, termed Sushma's action as inappropriate. "It was not improper but inappropriate action," Sorabjee said.

Sorabjee, who is considered as one of India's foremost legal minds, also rubbished charges of conflict of interest. "Did the action of helping her husband's client threatened country's security, our international image? There should be some kind of finding by a court of law," he said.

Sushma Swaraj's husband Swaraj Kaushal has been Lalit Modi's counsel for over 22 years. Kaushal was reportedly offered a position in board of directors in Indofil, a company owned by the Modi family. The post was offered by Modi some months after Sushma Swaraj helped the former IPL chief procure travel documents in UK.

When asked, isn't this a conflict of interest on part of the foreign minister? Sorabjee replied, "What's wrong in it. Many lawyers are on the board of several companies. He (Swaraj Kaushal) denied the offer. Being vigilant is okay but suspicion should not be rampant."

Why should Vasundhara Raje resign?

While Vasundhara Raje continues to firefight allegations that she gave a character witness statement in favour of Lalit Modi, who lives in London and is wanted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for alleged financial impropriety in IPL, Sorabjee believes that the Rajasthan Chief Minister did nothing wrong.

"We must have some realistic considertion and not stretch it too far. How did she affect the office she was occupying? How did she affect country's security? There was no serious act of corruption. There was nothing wrong, may be foolish," Sorabjee said.

When asked whether Vasundhara compromised herself by asking authorities to keep the witness statement secret that she gave in support of Lalit Modi, Sorabjee replied there is no need to read much into it.

"At that time she was a target of the Congress government. There is a plausible explanation. Don't read much into it, it is unnecessary. I am not concerned with Congress or BJP or anyone. If we lay down such standards then there will be mass resignations," he said.

"Do you believe that she (Vasundhara) should have made explicitly clear that she giving the statement in support of Lalit Modi in her personal capacity?" Sorabjee was asked. "Did she give it as the leader of Opposition?" he replied, and added, "As things stand at present, allegations against Vasundhara are not resignation issue. We must realise we are laying down wrong precedents."

PM Narendra Modi's silence over the controversy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept silent over controversies surrounding the two top leaders, and when asked whether the mysterious silence is understandable or irresponsible, Sorabjee said it is upto to the PM to decide when to speak.

"Certainly not irresponsible. He (PM Modi) is a very astute politician. PM should know when to speak and what to speak. Please, leave it to him when to speak. I won't call it irresponsible but politically expedient," Sorabjee said.

When asked if PM's silence is morally right? Sorabjee said, "If he does on this occasion, he will have to answer each time there is any accusation against any minister or any BJP leader."

On whether he believes there is a media trial going on in the issue involving Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhara, Sorabjee said, "Media trial, seems so. At least on some channels. Media is entering the fields which should be left to the court of law. I am not at all against media exposing wrong things. Media must maintain proportion. Don't jump to conclusion. It has a role to perform."