Talking to reporters, BJP MP Shobha Karandlaje said being a minister, Zameer Khan allegedly asked IMA owner to come back and said "Let's talk, government is with you, we will help you, let’s solve this issue"
Bengaluru: Karnataka BJP on Sunday (June 30) demanded the resignation of state Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, days after he was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with its probe into the multi-crore I Monetary Advisory (IMA) ponzi scam in Bengaluru.
State BJP general secretary and MP Shobha Karandlaje alleged the minister wanted to save IMA group managing director Mohammed Mansoor Khan, who has been absconding, and claimed a fair investigation was not possible if he remained in office.
Talking to reporters, she said being a minister, Zameer, while allegedly asking him (Mansoor) to come back had said, "Let's talk, government is with you, we will help you, let’s solve this issue".
Shobha alleged the probe by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), set up by the state government, was an attempt to destroy evidence and records.
“Since the ED notice has come, in the interest of fair and hassle-free investigation, I demand that Zameer Ahmed Khan resign,” she said.
The ED, which has registered a money laundering case against IMA, in which thousands of depositors are said to have been duped, had last week summoned Zameer, food and civil supplies and minority welfare minister, for questioning in the case on July 5.
While the Congress minister has denied any business dealings with the group or Mansoor, except a sale of a Bengaluru-based property, the agency officials had said they want to question him about his links with the company and its operations.
The ED had attached assets worth Rs 209 crore, including 20 immovable properties and bank deposits, in connection with the case.
The BJP has already demanded for CBI inquiry into the case.
The ED had filed the money laundering case against the IMA group of companies and Mansoor after reports emerged that he has gone underground fearing investments worth crores of about 40,000 investors being tanked.
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