Congress today alleged that Modi government "entered into a conspiracy" to "falsely accuse" the party leadership in AugustaWestland chopper case and made a "weak defence" in the Italian marines case as "quid pro quo".
"Recent order of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague confirms the claim that Modi government has entered into a conspiracy to falsely accuse Congress leadership in AugustaWestland case in return for a weak defence in Italian marines case," party spokesman Jyotiraditya Scindia told reporters.
He claimed that even if one takes a cursory glance at the series of events that preceded this Arbitration order, it becomes abundantly clear that "this is nothing but a ruse to logically effect the quid pro quo conspiratorial agreement that the Prime Minister entered into with Italian authorities."
"A charge clearly reflected in news reports that claimed that a conspiracy was hatched with a latent promise by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the release of these marines which has been surreptitiously denied by the government," he said, insisting that this is a "huge setback for India and prima facie appears to have been a case deliberately lost."
"Modi government apparently fought a weak case and provided diluted defence so as to facilitate the release of accused marine," he said.
Scindia claimed that it was a "massive blow" to India's efforts since 2012 to bring the culprits, who innocent Kerala fishermen, to justice.
Raising a number of questions, he asked the Prime Minister as to what are the details of the "secret deal" and "quid pro quo" between Modi government and Italian authorities to release the marines.
He said why didn't Modi government pursue the strong legal case filed by Kerala government and take it to its logical conclusion?
Scindia said the justification given by the Ministry of External Affairs is "vague".
He alleged that the political road to "harm" adversaries taken by Modi and his government has "compromised" national interest and national security.
Congress, he said, would continuously fight to seek justice for those who are victims in this case and also expose Modi government's "reprehensible ploy in trying to seek revenge" against Congress leadership.
