PNB-scam: I-T notice to Singhvi's wife for cash-purchases worth crores
What's the story
I-T has sent a notice to Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi's wife Anita, seeking explanation for jewelry purchases allegedly worth Rs. 6cr from Nirav Modi. According to I-T, Rs. 4.8cr was paid in cash, but Singhvi claims that "all Rs. 1.56cr was paid for fully in cheque." Singhvi has vehemently denied links with Modi, threatening Nirmala Sitharaman with defamation suits for "false, malicious" allegations.
Tenancy
Singhvi's company leased out property to Modi till 2017
Amid an alleged Rs. 11,400 scam by Modi, reports have surfaced about his links to the Congress leader. Modi had leased a property belonging to Adwait Holdings, where Singhvi's wife and sons are directors. But Singhvi claimed "neither Adwait nor my family has any interest (in) Modi. Last August, the company gave notice to quit tenancy and vacated the premises in December'17."
Transactions
Anita Singhvi allegedly made unaccounted purchases worth Rs. 4.89cr
Later, Times Now claimed to have accessed documents of an 'accounted purchase' worth Rs. 1.55cr. Invoices for the same dated May 20, 2014; August 21, 2014; and January 17, 2015 contained her name and PAN. But another invoice reportedly shows an 'unaccounted payment' of Rs. 4.89cr. Singhvi denied the allegations, raising questions on the list's source and other names on it.
Twitter Post
Abhishek Singhvi denies allegations of links to Nirav Modi
Allegations (1) renting of property 2modi co makes one complicit in his misdeeds(2)purchases of jewellery allegedly in cash by my wife based on someone’s computer entry are no evidence. All 1.56 cr paid for fully in chq and accounted for with receipts by India’s highest taxpayer.
— Abhishek Singhvi (@DrAMSinghvi) February 20, 2018
Reax
Has notice been sent to Modi's other customers?: Singhvi
I-T has now sent Anita Singhvi a notice seeking details of the transactions and sources of funds. The Congress leader termed it "harassment," asking if notice has "been sent to all others on that list or only those in Congress?" Claiming to be "India's highest taxpayer in my category for many years," he said they would respond to I-T's questionnaire "in accordance with law."
Status
Two FIRs lodged to probe the PNB scam
The CBI and ED have lodged two FIRs each to probe the alleged scam by Nirav Modi. Meanwhile, Modi and his family, including his wife, brother and uncle Choksi, are out of India. His lawyer insists he isn't absconding, but is out for "business purposes." Modi has blamed PNB for destroying his "brand and business" and leaving him unable to repay loans.