A photograph from the World Economic Forum Summit at Davos in January was shared on Thursday, 15 February, by Opposition parties to target the ruling BJP-led NDA government at the Centre over the PNB fraud case.

The photo, released by the Congress, shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a group of Indian businessmen at Davos.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury wrote on Twitter that PM should clarify how Nirav Modi, alleged to have fled India before the FIR was filed (on 31 January) landed in Davos for an official photo-op.

“If this person had fled India before the FIR on Jan 31, then he is here, photographed at Davos with PM, a week before the FIR, after having escaped from India? Modi govt must clarify,” he wrote.

If this person had fled India before the FIR on Jan 31, then he is here, photographed at Davos with PM, a week before the FIR, after having escaped from India? Modi govt must clarify. #NiravModi #PublicMoneyLoot pic.twitter.com/gQQnKQNjDo

— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) February 15, 2018

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, too, took a jibe at PM Modi in a tweet:

“Guide to Looting India by Nirav MODI

1. Hug PM Modi

2. Be seen with him in DAVOS

Use that clout to:

1. Steal 12,000Cr

2. Slip out of the country like Mallya, while the Govt looks the other way,” Rahul tweeted with the hastag “From 1 Modi to Another”.

Guide to Looting India
by Nirav MODI

1. Hug PM Modi
2. Be seen with him in DAVOS

Use that clout to:

A. Steal 12,000Cr
B. Slip out of the country like Mallya, while the Govt looks the other way.

#From1MODI2another

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 15, 2018

As the pressure of accusations mounted on the Centre, Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad addressed a press conference in New Delhi where he said that PM Modi didn’t meet Nirav Modi, the man accused in the massive banking fraud of Rs 11,515 crore.

He said that Nirav Modi came on his own at the CII event where the group photo was taken.

Prasad assured that those involved in the massive fraud will be brought to justice irrespective of their stature and status.

He also slammed those using derogatory language such as “Chota Modi”.

Countering Congress’ “photo ki rajneeti”, Prasad claimed that the BJP has “good and cosy” photos of Congress leaders with Mehul Choksi, another accused in the case, but the BJP won’t “stoop to that level”.

Read More: PNB fraud: Rahul Gandhi accuses PM Modi-led govt for ‘looking the other way’

Earlier today, Congress spokesperson, Randeep S Surjewala addressed a press conference and questioned prime minister’s silence over the matter.

“Why is Prime Minister Modi quiet? The prime minister was given with documents and proof against Nirav Modi (prime accused) and his uncle Mehul Choksi. Loot and run away’ is the new motto of the Modi government,” he said.

Read More: PNB fraud: ‘Loot and run away’ is new motto of Modi government, says Congress

The fraud concerns the Firestone Diamonds group in which the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last week booked billionaire diamond trader and designer Nirav Modi, his wife Ami, brother Nishal and maternal uncle Mehul Choksi.