At this age and time of my life I seek peace, says Amitabh
MUMBAI: Actor Amitabh Bachchan has spoken at length about his name featuring in the Panama papers and Bofors scandal, explaining that he has always cooperated with the “system” but wishes to be left alone at this stage of his life.
Bachchan wrote his anguished post on his blog on Sunday and said, “Tomorrow there could be more and the process of cooperation shall continue...” This morning, the Indian Express newspaper reported that the actor is one of the Indians figuring in the ‘ Paradise Papers’, an investigation into offshore and banking assets carried out by the newspaper with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).
The actor’s post began as a response to a BMC notice sent to him for alleged “illegal construction” on his property. “At this age and time of my life, I seek peace and freedom from prominence... To be left to lead the last few years of my life with and within myself... I do not seek epithets, I abhor them... I do not seek headlines, I do not deserve them... I do not seek acknowledgement, I am not qualified for it,” Amitabh posted on his blog on Sunday.
He said he is yet to receive the notice from the authorities but, trusting the media reports, his lawyer has already given a statement on the matter. The 75-year-old actor also talked about the controversy over his name featuring in the Panama Papers leak, another investigation done by Indian Express and ICIJ.
“In recent months I find my name appear again in the leaks of Panama, as produced by the Indian Express .. the paper has asked for reactions, for responses, for justification or not, for replies to their investigative queries.”
The actor said two “instant replies” were given out by him of “denial and misuse of name” but the questions continued.
“Immediately after this, the system took over and since its revelation in the Express, has summoned me... at least 6 summons have been served to us and continue to come... Each one of them have been diligently, dutifully and duly replied to... personal appearances have been ordered, and we have made them at the varied different Agency Offices, both in Mumbai and in Delhi, both from Tax and Enforcement Departments and of their respective Intelligence Wings,” Bachchan said. Full story @ timesofoman.com/world