Congress demands SIT probe in land deal involving Anar Patel's associates

The Congress has latched onto reports of Gujarat government selling 422 acres of land at Amreli, near the Gir forest reserve, to Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel's daughter, Anar Patel's business associates, allegedly at a throwaway price.

Earlier in the day, The Economic Times reported that owners of Wildwoods Resort, who have "extensive business dealings with Anar Patel", got the land at Rs 15 per square metre, showing a 91.6 percent discount on the government's stamp duty rate of Rs 180 per square metre.

The Congress is using the issue to target Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the land was allotted in 2010, when he was the state's chief minister.

Read More: Anar Patel's associates in Gujarat got their land at a 91.6% discount

In a press statement, Congress leaders Randeep Surjewala, Rajeev Gowda and PL Punia, questioned: "Was Shri Narendra Modi aware of the clear conflict of interest of the then Revenue Minister, Smt Anandiben Patel while allocating the said land? Was this allocation based on a Cabinet decision and endorsed by the Chief Minister and whether the conflict of interest was disclosed?"

The Congress has also demanded an independent probe monitored by the Supreme Court in the case. "We, therefore, demand that an SIT monitored by the Supreme Court be established for a time bound probe in the entire matter. For a fair inquiry, Smt Anandben Patel should resign or be sacked immediately," the statement read.