New Delhi, June 15 (IANS): Continuing its attack on External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj over grant of travel permission to former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, the Congress on Monday said her excuses on the issue were "totally bogus".

"The way Sushma Swaraj has gone about the issue, it is not in the national interest. Her excuses are totally bogus and one not standing scrutiny of facts. As per Portuguese law, it is not required to obtain the signature of the husband for any surgical operations," Congress leader P.L. Punia told reporters here.

Amid a row over her having helped the former IPL chief in securing travel documents in July last year for treatment of his cancer-afflicted wife, Sushma Swaraj on Sunday tweeted: "...Lalit Modi spoke to me that his wife was suffering from cancer and her surgery was fixed for 4th Aug in Portugal.

"He told me that he had to be present in the Hospital to sign the consent papers," she said.

Punia said Sushma Swaraj has gone out of her way to provide Lalit Modi with help.

According to reports, she had also spoken to a British MP and the British High Commissioner here to facilitate Lalit Modi secure emergency travel papers.