Black money: BJP says legal action against Kaur, son likely

As the government stepped up its efforts to curb the black money menace, BJP today said legal action would be initiated against former Congress minister Preneet Kaur and others stashing away unaccounted cash "if proper evidence is found".
BJP also hinted that some legislative measures were on the anvil in the upcoming parliament session against black money.
"If proper evidence is found, which we feel we will get soon, legal action against them would be initiated," BJP spokesperson M J Akbar said when asked about action against former Union minister Preneet Kaur and her son Raninder Singh.
He said, "Action is being initiated. For the first time there have been serious investigations being carried out (against black money). These names had come up during UPA (government). At that time, efforts were made to save them and they were successfully saved. But now, that era has ended."

He said whenever information is received on people having black money and illegal money stashed in swiss banks, "action will be initiated".
Akbar said, "I feel some more measures to curb black money are also on the anvil in the upcoming Parliament session."

Asked about the opposition move to discuss the issue of intolerance and get a resolution passed in Parliament, the BJP leader evaded a direct reply and expressed hoped that the winter session will run smoothly.
"We shall reply forcefully and accurately against all canards. It is good that Parliament debates such issues. That is what Parliament is for. We hope you are also telling me that Parliament is not disrupted," he said.

On Rahul Gandhi's attack on the Modi government over its foreign policy, Akbar said, "If it is just criticism, one can reply. I think he should change his advisers."
India has sought assistance in the investigation into black money from the Swiss authorities into accounts allegedly held by former Congress minister Preneet Kaur and her son.
Under the Swiss norms for 'assistance' in tax matters, which could involve sharing of account and other details, the Federal Tax Administration (FTA) of Switzerland also asked Kaur and Singh to file an appeal within 10 days for "exercise of the right to be heard".