Jails in India ‘pretty decent’ as far as Vijay Mallya is concerned, says Rahul Gandhi in London | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Jails in India ‘pretty decent’ as far as Vijay Mallya is concerned, says Rahul Gandhi in London

Hindustan Times, London | ByHT Correspondent
Aug 26, 2018 10:24 AM IST

Fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya is currently fighting extradition to India on fraud and money laundering charges worth an estimated Rs 9,000 crores.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said that Indian prisons are “difficult places” but “pretty decent” as far as Vijay Mallya is concerned, adding that this is no reason for the controversial businessman to expect preferential treatment.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi speaks at an interactive session at London School of Economics, London.(PTI File Photo)
Congress president Rahul Gandhi speaks at an interactive session at London School of Economics, London.(PTI File Photo)

“Indian prisons are pretty decent as far as Mr Mallya is concerned. Justice should be the same for all Indian people,” Gandhi said in an interaction with the Indian Journalists’ Association in London. He also made a passing reference to the businessman meeting certain BJP leaders before fleeing India, but did not elaborate.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

The fugitive liquor baron is currently fighting extradition to India on fraud and money-laundering charges amounting to an estimated Rs 9,000 crore. Both the defence and the prosecution had presented their arguments on Barrack 12 at the Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai (where Mallya is to be held if extradited) during a court hearing in London last month. Judge Emma Arbuthnot has asked the Indian authorities to submit a video of the prison quarters within three weeks.

Read: Rahul Gandhi plays down prime ministerial ambitions, says he is ‘defending Indian state’

The Congress president, who is on a two-day visit to London, also alleged that the Modi government is being lenient towards other financial offenders such as Nirav Modi and Mehjul Choksi. “There is a relationship between Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi and the Prime Minister. No action is taken against them,” PTI quoted Gandhi as saying.

Jewellery designer Nirav Modi and his uncle, Gitanjali Gems promoter Mehul Choksi, had allegedly defrauded the state-run Punjab National Bank of over Rs 13,000 crore. The Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate have registered cases of fraud against them.

 

Gandhi then went on to attack the Modi government on the issue of foreign policy, alleging that it was dealing with Nepal, Afghanistan and China in a haphazard manner. “A devastating example is that of the Prime Minister going to Afghanistan and then stopping by Pakistan on the way back for a wedding (on December 25, 2015), thereby sending a completely wrong message to Afghanistan,” he said.

He also claimed that Modi did not discuss the Doklam issue when he went to China because “he views these as events “.

Gandhi’s comparison of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh with the Muslim Brotherhood the previous day had drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, which called him “immature” for making such statements. “Do you even know what the Muslim Brotherhood is? It has been declared as a terrorist organisation in a number of countries,” party spokesperson Sambit Patra had said, demanding an apology from the Congress president.

(With PTI inputs)

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On