The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at over 15 locations on Tuesday, including the residences of Congress leaders Pratap Singh Khachariyawas and Kulwant Singh, among others, as part of a money laundering probe linked to the Rs 48,000-crore PACL Ponzi scam, according to PTI.
Addressing reporters outside his ancestral house here, Khachariyawas, nephew of former vice president Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, said the ED action was politically motivated because he has been speaking against the government.
He asserted that he had done nothing wrong and that he was "not afraid" of the ED.
"The BJP is arrogant. It has been in power at the Centre for 11 years and it is also in power in Rajasthan. I have been speaking against them and therefore they have taken this action, but I am not going to get scared," he said, adding that he will continue raising his voice against the government.
"In 2020 also, an attempt was made to harass him in a similar manner. This action being taken against Pratap Singh Khachariyawas in the spirit of political revenge is condemnable," he added.
"They have brought a notice to search the premises. They have not given notice linking it to any company. Premises can be searched anywhere in the country, it is their right. I am neither afraid nor nervous," Khachariyawas told PTI.
"If there is any issue, I will respond. There are six lawyers from my side," he said.
"Governments keep changing, the time will change. Imagine what will happen to BJP when Rahul Gandhi comes to power. You (BJP) have started these proceedings, we will also do the same against the people of BJP. They can do as many searches as they want, we are not scared. We will cooperate with the officers." he added.
Case Background
The money laundering probe arose from a 2015 Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR against PACL India Ltd, PGF Ltd, late PACL promoter Nirmal Singh Bhanghu and others, accusing them of operating “fraudulent” investment schemes to defraud investors.
With these schemes, PACL and its top officials defrauded the investors of about Rs 48,000 crore.
The ED has attached assets worth Rs 706 crore, including two immovable properties worth Rs 462 crore in Australia, and filed two chargesheets against PACL, Bhangoo and others. While, Bhangoo died in August last year.
(With PTI Inputs)
