Panama Papers: Latest expose contradicts Amitabh Bachchan's denial

Zee Media Bureau

Mumbai: The latest expose contradicts Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan's statement, whose name figured in the Panama Paper leaks as allegedly having links with offshore entities in two tax havens. He had earlier denied any connection with those companies, saying his name may have been "misused".

 

He also claimed that even the news report had not suggested any wrongdoing on his part.

However, as per a report in the Indian Express carried on Thursday, he might not be speaking the truth. The documents accessed by the newspaper shows a contradiction in Bachchan's stand.

Bachchan, had earlier this month said, "I do not know any of the companies referred to by Indian Express - Sea Bulk Shipping Company Ltd, Lady Shipping Ltd, Treasure Shipping Ltd, and Tramp Shipping Ltd. I have never been a director of any of the above stated companies. It is possible that my name has been misused.”

 

But the Indian Express has obtained documents that shows Bachchan, as director of two of these firms. The paper further reveals that he also “took part in their board meetings by telephone conference.”

“Bachchan’s name was also recorded in the list of directors and office bearers on the Certificate of Incumbency issued by both companies,” the paper said while revealing that “these meetings of Tramp Shipping Limited (Bahamas) and Sea Bulk Shipping Company Ltd (British Virgin Islands), were held on December 12, 1994.”

 

Bachchan had earlier also stated, "I have paid all my taxes including on monies spent by me overseas. Monies that I have remitted overseas have been in compliance with law, including remittances through Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), after paying Indian taxes. In any event the news report in Indian Express does not even suggest any illegality on my part," his statement read.

 

The names of his daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, her parents and brother also figured in the leaked documents as being directors in a firm in the British Virgin Islands.

With PTI Inputs