New Delhi, Sep 12 (UNI) Reacting sharply to the statement by industrialist Vijay Mallya that he had met the Finance Minister before leaving India, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order an independent probe into the matter and that Mr Arun Jaitley should step down as Finance Minister, while the probe is underway.
In a post on social media, Rahul, describing the allegations levelled by Mallya as 'serious', said 'Given Vijay Mallya's extremely serious allegations in London today, the PM should immediately order an independent probe into the matter. Arun Jaitley should step down as Finance Minister while this probe is underway.'
Mallya, who is facing money laundering charges in multi-crore fraud case in India, on Wednesday claimed that he met the Finance Minister, before leaving the country.
Speaking outside a London court, Mallya said, "I met the Finance Minister before I left and repeated my offer to settle." Jaitley was the Finance Minister, when Mallya left India.
Mallya spoke to reporters during hearing of his extradition case.
UNI AR RJ 2310