New Delhi:
Under suspicion for his alleged links to Pune-based businessman Hasan Ali, Puducherry's Lt Governor Iqbal Singh, in a letter to the Home Ministry, has said that he recommended Hasan Ali's name for a passport. However, he doesn't have any links with Mr. Ali. Hasan Ali is considered to be country's biggest tax evader. (
Read the letter)
In the letter to the Ministry, Mr Singh claims that he recommended a passport for Hasan Ali on behalf of a plea made by the Congress leader Amalendu Pandey on April 4, 1997. The Lt Governor also said he recommended the passport on compassionate and health grounds.
In the letter, Mr Singh also claims that he does not know Hasan Ali personally and has also never met him.
He also said he did not verify Ali's passport application.
Sources have told NDTV, the Enforcement Directorate could summon Iqbal Singh as early as next week in connection with his alleged links with Mr. Ali. The Lt Governor is already in the Capital, but says he has not received any summons so far.
On Saturday, the Principal Secretary in the Uttar Pradesh government, VS Pandey, was removed from his post following reports of his alleged links with Hasan Ali. (
Read: Hasan Ali case - Top UP bureaucrat removed)
Mr Ali, who is currently in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate, is accused of allegedly stashing away billions of dollars in Swiss bank accounts. He was arrested last month and moved to Mumbai from Pune.
Hasan Ali has been asked to pay Rs. 70,000 crore as a penalty for tax evasion. He is currently lodged in the high-security Arthur Road jail in Mumbai.