New Delhi, Sep 13(India Today): Reacting to Vijay Mallya's comment that he met Arun Jaitley before leaving India, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said that PM Narendra Modi should launch an independent probe into the matter.

"Given Vijay Mallya's extremely serious allegations in London today, the PM should immediately order an independent probe into the matter. Arun Jaitley should step down as FInance Minister while this probe is underway," Gandhi said in a tweet.

Vijay Mallya has earlier said that he had met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley before leaving India. Mallya's comment blew up politically with the Congress using the revelation to target the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Mallya was speaking to the media in London where the hearing of his extradition case was underway in the Westminster Court.

Mallya later clarified that there was not formal meeting.

Rubbishing Mallya's claim, Arun Jaitley said that the beleagured businessman's remark was factually incorrect.

Jaitley said that Mallya used his privilege as a Rajya Sabha member and accosted him in the corridor of the Parliament. Jaitley said that he never formally met Mallya.

Later, Mallya clarified his statement and said that he never met Arun Jaitley formally. He said he met the finance minister at several occasions when he was a member of the Rajya Sabha, but never met him formally. Mallya said that the statement was blown out of proportion by the media.

Vijay Mallya also said that he met many of his Rajya Sabha colleagues and expressed desire to settle accounts. He also said that nobody tipped him off before leaving for London.