SC issues notice to PMO on black money and corruption cases against Modi’s ministers

When asked about the amount of black money recovered by the Modi government, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stated that “It (the reply) would interfere with the SIT investigation.”

And, about the details of the corruption cases filed against Modi’s ministers and action taken by the government, the PMO said that “this (information) would inappropriately divert our resources.”

These appalling revelations came from a petition filed by RTI activist and former IFS officer, Sanjeev Chaturvedi.

Chaturvedi had filed a petition in the apex court in December 2019, pleading that the SC should direct the PMO to provide information regarding black money recovered by the government and corruption cases filed against Modi’s ministers, following which the SC issued a notice to the Modi government on Friday. The apex court has given four-week time to the government to submit their reply.

Known lawyer and human right activist Prashant Bhushan represented Chaturvedi in the court. He later tweeted:

It is important to mention here that Chaturvedi had filed an RTI application in the PMO in August 2017, seeking information about the amount of the black money recovered by the government along with the information about corruption cases filed against the Modi’s ministers. Chaturvedi had also sought to know about the action taken by the government against the ministers.

However, in an advertent response, the PMO refused to furnish the information, following which Chaturvedi approached CIC in October 2018. On the direction of the CIC, the PMO provided information but in a vague manner.

As per the lawyers associated with the case, Chaturvedi approached Delhi High court in September 2019, pleading for directions to the PMO to provide information. However, the HC dismissed his petition, following which Chaturvedi approached the SC.