I am a Law Abiding Citizen: Bachchan on Reports of Tax Evasion

Big B denied being part of any company in tax-haven Panama.

File photo of Amitabh Bachchan. (Photo: IANS)

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Friday said he was a law-abiding citizen of the country and had always cooperated with the Income Tax Department. Big B again denied being part of any company in tax-haven Panama.

I wish to state that the article carried in the DNA dated April 8, 2016 with regards to me, is a matter that has been under investigation for the past 6-7 years by the Income Tax and Enforcement Departments. I have diligently responded to all the queries and notices sent by them. I am a law-abiding citizen of the country. 

I wish to reiterate, that on the Panama Papers reportage in the Indian Express, I have not been a director on the Board of the 4 Companies as mentioned in an earlier report. I am happy that the GOI has instituted a thorough investigation on this issue, for, I myself am keen to know how my name appears in connection with those 4 Companies. 

I have been reading demands for my removal from the Brand Ambassadorship of the Maharashtra Tiger Preservation campaign. This is the prerogative of the Government of Maharashtra, which I shall humbly respect. Nonetheless, I wish to state that whatever the decision, I shall continue to work towards the social causes that I am associated with – Tiger Preservation, Polio, Swachh Bharat, TB, Hepatitis B, Diabetes, Family Planning – in my individual personal capacity.    

Amitabh Bachchan

The Congress had on Thursday demanded that Bachchan be removed as Maharashtra’s ambassador for the ‘Save Tiger’ project and as advisor for the development of BKC’s International Financial Centre after his name surfaced in the Panama Papers.