Rakul Preet Singh BREAKS silence on Income Tax searches, DENIES involvement in illegal foreign remittances: "Have been paying my due taxes since the age of 20"
Here's the latest update from the Bollywood world:
Addressing the reports, Rakul shared that she wanted to clarify her position and objected to what she described as unverified and sensationalised coverage. “It’s heartbreaking to see that there’s a growing trend amongst the self styled online reporters & some mainstream media journalists to sensationalise the news without verifying facts,” she shared.
Adding to this, Rakul went on to specifically deny that she was involved in the alleged financial irregularities. “The search was not pertaining to me,” she shared, adding that she comes from an Armed Forces background and entered the movie industry without a godfather. The star also shared that she has been paying her taxes since the age of 20 and described herself as a responsible, law-abiding citizen. “I am not involved in any kind of illegal foreign remittance in personal capacity or on behalf of any Production house,” Rakul shared.
Meanwhile, Rakul also addressed speculation surrounding alleged undisclosed assets. She shared that she does not hold any benami property for anyone in India or abroad. “I would also add here that I do not hold any Benami property on behalf of anyone anywhere in the country or abroad,” she shared. The star further shared that nobody had ever gifted her any property and that she does not accept expensive gifts as a matter of principle.
Notably, Rakul concluded her statement by calling on publications and individuals who, according to her, had published inaccurate reports to retract them and clarify the facts. “I urge all those who published these false, malicious and speculative reports to retract them and clarify the facts,” she shared.
As per the latest buzz, Acknowledging the commercial pressures faced by media organisations, Rakul shared that such pressures should not come at the expense of accuracy or an individual's reputation. “I understand that everyone running a media business however big has their own commercial pressures. But it cannot come at the cost of facts. And certainly not at the cost of someone’s reputation and livelihood,” she added.
In further updates, On September 28, the Mumbai Income Tax Department conducted searches at around 12 locations as per reports linked to Rakul, her father-in-law and producer Vashu Bhagnani, and Panorama Studios, associated with producer Kumar Mangat Pathak. The searches were as per reports part of an investigation into suspected irregularities involving movie financing and overseas transactions.
On top of that, Reports had shared that officials were examining documents, bank records and financial transactions as part of the probe. The focus was as per reports on substantial funds allegedly remitted overseas under the shared heads of shooting expenses, production costs and overseas distribution. However, no specific amount, formal finding or charge has been publicly revealed by the authorities. A search by an investigative agency does not by itself establish wrongdoing, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Source: Bollywood Hungama