UK had denied visa to Lalit Modi, changed its mind after Sushma Swaraj's intervention: Congress

New Delhi: Hours after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj sought to clear her stand in the ongoing Lalit Modi fiasco, the Congress tried to pin her down again with fresh allegations.

"Sushma ji said today that the UK government wanted to give travel documents to Lalit Modi and that the Indian government had no problem with it. But the reality was that the UK government had denied travel documents to Lalit Modi. The UK officials had on July 3, 2014 informed Lalit Modi in writing, that he has been denied visa. After that Sushma Swaraj intervened and ensured travel documents for him," Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said at a press meeting on Thursday.

"Sushma Swaraj said that help was extended to Lalit on humanitarian grounds. She also said that she helped Lalit's wife, not him. The doctors in Portugal had said that there is a need for therapeutical procedure for Lalit's wife on August 4. If this was the case, then why was the Indian foreign secretary not kept in the loop?" Sharma asked.

Sharma further accused Sushma of trying to "hide herself in an emotional box" in Parliament to prove herself innocent.

"Lalit Modi was wanted by law. It was confirmed by Finance Minister of this and the previous government. There were 14 cases in which Lalit Modi was already served notice. Should a minister then clandestinely arrange travel documents for such a person?" Sharma asked.

"Why did Sushma Swaraj intervene voluntarily to ensure travel document for Lalit when the UK government did not ask for that? It's ridiculous," he said.

A furious Sushma Swaraj on Thursday flayed the Opposition for continuing to protest over the Lalit Modi scandal and delaying Parliament proceedings. "I challenge the Opposition to produce any evidence against me in the fiasco," Sushma dared the Congress.

"The whole issue should have stopped with the UK government's reply (to a question by The Economic Times) that Modi's travel papers were issued to him in accordance with the rules. But the Opposition kept the matter alive," Sushma said.

"Whatever I did (to help Modi get his travel visa) was done on humanitarian grounds as his wife has cancer and the hospital where she is undergoing treatment said that Modi's presence was important. What I did was help an Indian woman. I want to ask the Opposition, did I commit a crime? If I did, I am ready to face the consequences," Sushma said.