NEW DELHI – Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has mocked formerPakistani PM Nawaz Sharif over corruption cases.

She has compared income tax cases against former Indian finance minister PChidambaram with corruption charges Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister ofPakistan is facing. Pakistan’s top anti-corruption body has ordered a probeagainst Mr Sharif for allegedly laundering $4.9 billions to India m, asper the country’s media reports.

“For some time now we have been hearing a lot of action by the I-Tauthorities against former finance minister P Chidambaram and his family.In India, for the Congress party, this is the Nawaz Sharif moment,” MsSitharaman said at a media conference in Delhi. The union minister alsotargeted Congress president Rahul Gandhi, saying “he should certainly tellthe people of India if he is going to investigate this senior leader of theparty, for not having disclosed income held abroad.”

Ms Sitharaman said the government has given enough time for people todeclare assets held in foreign countries under the relevant black moneylaws. If found guilty there is a 120% tax on undisclosed income stashedaway in foreign countries, as well as a seven-year jail term, she said.

Mr Chidambaram, his wife Nalini and son Karti are facing multiple casesunder the black money law. Yesterday the former finance minister said thetax department’s charge sheet was fake as the overseas investments underquestion were duly reflected in their income tax returns.

Four criminal complaints were filed on Saturday, by the tax departmentbefore a special court in Chennai under black money and undisclosed foreignincome laws. The case is in connection with the assessment year of 2016-17.The charge sheets are expected to be taken up by the court on June 11.