Cong demands CBI probe into ransom to Kandhar hijackers

Lucknow, July 20 (UNI) Asserting that former union minister Jaswant Singh should come clean in the Kandhar hijack case, Uttar Pradesh Congress today demanded a CBI probe into the alleged ransom paid to terrorists.

''Mr Singh has mentioned in his book that a demand to pay 200 million dollar was made by the hijackers...but, he has not made it clear whether the amount was paid,'' said Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Pramod Tiwari.

Mr Tiwari said after consulting other UP Congress leaders, he has decided to hand over a letter demanding a CBI probe to the Prime Minister. ''If I am unable to meet him, I will fax it to him.'' The CLP leader said India was under pressure from the US and Switzerland to manage the release of billionare Roberto Giori from onboard flight IC 814 ''at any cost.'' ''Let the BJP leadership now claim no money had changed hands during the deal. But, the fact remains Mr Singh has not mentioned about not paying ransom in his book...if money was paid it amounts to treason,'' Tiwari asserted.

He claimed investigations after the hijack drama had revealed the plane, which flew terrorist leader Masood Azhar to Kandhar also carried cash and explosives. ''After all, what was in the red bag,'' he wondered.

The Congress leader said the Lashker-e-Taiba had carried out several strikes in the country after the hijack. ''Though it is only circumstantial evidence. But, perhaps the funds came from the money handed over by the government,'' he alleged.

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