I will leave politics if charges proved true: Khurshid

Law minister Salman Khurshid today vehemently rejected allegations of financial irregularities in an NGO run by his wife Louise Khurshid, saying he would leave politics if the charges were found to be true.

Law minister Salman Khurshid on Sunday vehemently rejected allegations of financial irregularities in an NGO run by his wife Louise Khurshid, saying he would leave politics if the charges were found to be true.

"You think the law minister is going to forge signatures for this purpose. I will leave politics if these signatures are found to be forged," Salman Khurshid told Karan Thapar in an interview broadcast on CNN-IBN.

He was responding to charges by India Against Corruption (IAC) leader Arvind Kejriwal over alleged financial irregularities in his NGO, Zakir Hussain Memorial Trust.

"Will you (media) leave journalism if these signatures are found to be forged? The time has come for you (media) to begin to answer these questions," Salman Khurshid said.

Supporters of IAC activist Arvind Kejriwal burn the picture of Salman Khurshid at Jantar Mantar. AFP

India Against Corruption (IAC) leader Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced an indefinite agitation to demand the resignation and arrest of Salman Khurshid over the alleged financial irregularities in his NGO.

Salman Khurshid's wife Louise Khurshid on Saturday slammed Kejriwal and a television channel for alleging that their NGO had siphoned off Rs. 71 lakh meant for physically challenged people and termed the charges as false.

Louise Friday filed a civil defamation case in the Delhi High Court against the TV Today Group seeking damages of Rs. 100 crore, said court sources.

According to the Aaj Tak television channel report, the union social welfare and empowerment ministry had granted Rs. 71.50 lakh to the Khurshids' NGO for distributing tricycles and hearing aids to the disabled in 17 districts of Uttar Pradesh.

The television channel has alleged financial misappropriation by the Khurshids in running the trust.

While Salman Khurshid is the president of the trust, his wife is the project director.

Nearly 150 protesters assembled outside Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in the city on Sunday morning, shouting slogans against Salman Khurshid as he landed here after a visit to London.

Salman Khurshid, who was in London to receive an honour at Oxford University, arrived in New Delhi early Sunday. As he landed, IAC supporters gathered near the VVIP gate of IGI airport, shouting slogans and holding placards demanding his ouster as law minister.