An attempt to divert attention from paper, data leak: Kapil

Congress leader Kapil Sibal has rejected the charges made against him by Union minister Smriti Irani, claiming that it was an attempt to divert public attention from key issues like the CBSE paper leak and data leak.

Admitting that he had purchased land from his own money which was not in dispute, he said the transaction was listed in his and his company’s income tax filings.

Irani on Thursday demanded an explanation from Congress chief Rahul Gandhi over Sibal’s alleged land dealing with a businessman who was investigated by the CBI in 2013 for alleged bribery.

At a hurriedly convened press conference, Sibal said he was saddened that the minister was making such allegations instead of talking about the grave issue of the CBSE paper leak and data leak.

The former law minister also threatened to file a defamation suit against news website opindia.com, which Irani had cited for her allegations against him, but refused to do so against her.

“Yes, I brought the the company. Does anyone have objections? I gave the money from my income, which is tax paid and the income tax returns are filed up to date,” he told reporters.

Asked about the charges about his dealings with the businessman who was facing a money laundering investigation, he said, “You ask him all those questions.”