New Delhi, Nov 1: BJP today demanded that the government come out with the names of 700 Indians allegedly having secret accounts in a bank in Geneva.
The party also sought the government to make public the action taken to bring back Indians' money stashed abroad and steps initiated to prosecute such tax evaders.
BJP also alleged the Congress-led government has no will to handle corruption and black money issues. It alleged the ruling party was using “every means available” to protect and save the corrupt.
“Today media reports show how again by sheer fluke, effortlessly from the French Government, the Indian government received a compact disc listing 700 bank accounts belonging to Indians in the HSBC Bank, Geneva. It is estimated that this bank alone may have up to Rs 4000 crores of Indian deposits,” BJP spokesperson Nirmal Sitharaman said.
Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) conducted raids on some of those named in the list, including three MPs, according to media reports. Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) under the Income Tax department is also investigating into those in the list.
“Government of India should disclose all the 700 names in the list received, as reported, from the French Government. The government should also release a statement on action taken, if any, on getting back black money from abroad and prosecuting tax evaders in India,” Sitharaman said.
L K Advani had during 2009 Lok Sabha elections raised the issue of black money stashed abroad by Indians and since then BJP has flagged the issue both inside and outside Parliament.
