Ashish Ranjan
In an attack on the Congress, Union minister Anurag Thakur termed it a “great shame” that the “story of Gandhi family corruption” was included in the report on money laundering by the terror financing watchdog FATF (Financial Action Task Force).
“New models of congressional malfeasance are emerging. Now, the FATF has published a case study demonstrating how a former Union minister in the UPA government coerced an individual into purchasing an average painting by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for Rs 2 crore “Anurag Thakur said in a statement.Anurag Thakur was alluding to allegations made by the co-founder of Yes Bank, Rana Kapoor, that he was coerced into purchasing a painting by MF Husain for Rs 2 crore from Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi. In March 2020, the Enforcement Directorate initiated an investigation into the matter.
कांग्रेस राज में पद्मभूषण भी बिकते थे।
यस बैंक के पूर्व CEO राणा कपूर पर दबाव बना कर 2 करोड़ में प्रियंका गांधी की पेंटिंग ख़रीदने में/उस पैसे का उपयोग करने में कौन लोग शामिल हैं?
इस ख़रीद फ़रोख़्त में “R” कौन है?
FATF की रिपोर्ट पर चुप क्यों है गांधी परिवार? pic.twitter.com/VcLtavGuDJ
— Anurag Thakur (मोदी का परिवार) (@ianuragthakur) March 13, 2023
A report by the FATF in 2023 mentions a prominent Indian financier who purchased overpriced art from a dealer “”close relative of a member of the governing political party at the time.”The FATF report entitled “Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing in the Arts and Antiques Market” does not identify the financier or the politician, instead referring to the accused as “Mr. A.”
Anurag Thakur stated that Priyanka Gandhi must disclose the identity of “Mr. A” mentioned in the FATF report.In its report, the FATF cited Mr. A, the managing director and chief executive officer of an Indian bank, who abused his position during his tenure.”Mr. A paid $264000 for a work of art from a close relative of a member of the ruling political party at the time. The investigation, however, revealed that this was an overvaluation,” the report stated.
It went on to say that Mr. A’s payment for the painting was a bribe to influence the bestowing of India’s third-highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan, to himself.Thakur criticised the opposition party, stating, “Was the Padma Bhushan awarded in exchange for cash and a painting? Is this the Congress’s model of corruption? How many additional national distinctions have you sold for cash?”
Also Read | Bhopal gas tragedy: SC rejects Centre’s plea for additional compensation for victims
According to an indictment filed by the ED last year, Rana Kapoor paid Rs 2 crore by check for the MF Husain painting. According to the ED, Congress leader Milind Deora persuaded Rana Kapoor to purchase the artwork. Milind Deora subsequently informed Kapoor that the sale’s proceeds were used to pay for Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s medical care.Rana Kapoor was detained in relation to a Rs 466 billion money laundering case. Currently, he is in judicial custody.
