Lalit Modi issue raised in Rajya Sabha

New Delhi, July 21  The Congress on Tuesday raised the Lalit Modi controversy in the Rajya Sabha, demanding a discussion and suspending the scheduled business on the first day of monsoon session.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said: "Government is answerable to the house."

"Government promised transparency in functioning. This promise has been broken. There are 14 FIRs by the enforcement directorate against him (Lalit Modi). Governments change laws don't change," he said.

The Congress leader alleged that the travel documents that were granted to Modi for attending to his wife who he said was undergoing cancer treatment, were being used by him for "tourism". 

Responding to Sharma, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley asked the opposition to start the debate.

"Start the discussion, (External Affairs Minister) Sushma Swaraj (who had faciltated the travel documents) will reply," Jaitley said.

However, as opposition members created ruckus, the house was adjourned till noon.

When the Rajya Sabha re-assembled at noon, the scene was similar, forcing another adjournment till 12.30 pm and then till 2 p.m.