Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh, Ajay Devgn – Celebrities named in Panama Papers controversy

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan hit headlines on Monday after she appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The actress was grilled for nearly six hours by the officials in connection to the 2016 ‘Panama Papers’ case. The actress was snapped exiting the ED’s headquarters in central Delhi on Monday evening. Apart from Aishwarya, several other celebrities have been named in the Panama Papers leak, take a look:

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is being probed for alleged tax evaded income. According to sources, the actress is one of the directors of an entity/trust which is being probed for alleged money laundering of tax evaded income. She recorded her statement under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and also submitted a few necessary documents to the agency on Monday. Aishwarya’s mother and other family members may also reportedly be questioned in the same case for their involvement with the entity.

ALSO READ: FIVE times Aishwarya Rai Bachchan made headlines

Previously, it was reported that Amitabh Bachchan was the director of four shipping companies registered in offshore tax havens. Soon after the controversy broke, Big B had issued a statement regarding the controversy, “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. 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 LRS, after paying Indian taxes. In any event the news report in Indian Express does not even suggest any illegality on my part."

Apart from Amitabh and Aishwarya, Abhishek Bachchan has also been questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Panama Papers case. The actor was reportedly questioned about financial transactions in November. Abhishek Bachchan is facing investigation by ED under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (Fema) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Apart from the Bachchans, Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn's name had also cropped up in the Panama Papers leak controversy. According to reports, the actor was a shareholder in the British Virgin Islands company, Marylebone Entertainment Ltd. He allegedly bought the shares in the name of his company Nysa Yug Entertainment, which he co-owns with wife Kajol. Post the controversy, Ajay Devgn had reportedly stated that he had not violated any RBI or Government rules and that he had invested the money through legal channels.