Congress washes hands off Ishrat Jahan case; accuses Modi govt of spreading a 'bundle of lies'

On 20 April, the Congress party dismissed allegations that the Congress senior leadership was in any way involved in giving directions to former Home Minister P Chidambaram on the Ishrat Jahan issue, and dismissed all insinuations against the Gandhis as false.

On 18 April, media reports revealed that P Chidambaram, the ex-home minister, had in fact signed the first affidavit that declared Ishrat and three others as terrorists, but gave the four a clean chit a month later, as serious amendments were made in the second affidavit, also signed by him.

Dismissing the BJP's allegations surrounding the involvement of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the amendments made to the second affidavit filed in the Ishrat Jahan case , Congress spokesperson Randeep Sujrewala said that the Centre is perpetuating a "bundle of lies". He also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah of making attempts to derail the judicial procedure that is ongoing.

"Unlike the RSS, Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi never intervened or gave any suggestion to the then Home Minister P Chidambaram or any other person or authority in Government qua any administrative matter including the Ishrat Jahan case," he said in a statement.

Sujrewala also suggested that the ruling party is making attempts at hoodwinking the masses with the help of their "cronies and pawns" by attempting to shift focus and responsibility to the Congress leadership.

Further blame-game ensued, as the Congress asserted that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi did not confer, advice or give any suggestions to the then Home Minister P Chidambaram while amendments were being made in the second affidavit.  Instead, they blamed the erstwhile Ministry of Home Affairs and probe agencies in their handling of the matter.

With the Congress completely washing their hands off responsibility in the handling of the Ishrat Jahan case, the complete onus of the matter falls on ex-Home Minister P Chidambaram, who has now been left to fend for himself.