'I've Been Paying Taxes Since Age 20': Rakul Preet Singh Denies IT Raid Reports
Actress Rakul Preet Singh breaks silence on Income Tax search reports, stating she has been paying taxes since age 20 and has no illegal assets.
Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh has officially broken her silence regarding recent media reports linking her to Income Tax searches in Mumbai. In a strong statement released via her Instagram account, the actress vehemently denied any involvement in illegal financial activities, calling out media outlets for sensationalism.
'The Search Was Not Pertaining To Me'
Addressing the rumors head-on, Singh expressed her heartbreak over the trend of unverified news being circulated by both online and mainstream journalists. She sought to set the record straight to protect her reputation and livelihood.
"It's heartbreaking to see that there's a growing trend amongst the self-styled online reporters & some mainstream media journalists to sensationalise the news without verifying facts," the actress stated. "Let's therefore set the record straight once for all. The search was not pertaining to me."
Emphasis on Hard Work and Law-Abiding Conduct
The actress highlighted her background and her commitment to following the law, noting that she has been a responsible citizen for many years. She emphasized that her success in the film industry is a result of her own efforts rather than any external influence.
Key points from Rakul Preet Singh's statement:
- Tax Compliance: She claimed to have been paying her due taxes consistently since the age of 20.
- No Illegal Remittances: She denied any involvement in illegal foreign remittances, whether in a personal capacity or on behalf of any production house.
- No Benami Properties: She asserted that she does not hold any Benami property anywhere in the country or abroad.
- No Expensive Gifts: The actress mentioned that she does not accept expensive gifts as a principle and has never been gifted property.
Singh also highlighted her roots, stating, "Let it be known that I am from the Armed Forces background & had no Godfather in the Industry. I have come up through sheer hardwork."
A Plea to the Media for Fact-Checking
While acknowledging the commercial pressures faced by media businesses, Rakul Preet Singh urged journalists to prioritize accuracy over speculation. She noted that spreading false information can have devastating consequences on an individual's reputation.
"I urge all those who published these false, malicious and speculative reports to retract them and clarify the facts," she concluded. "I understand that everyone running a media business however big has their own commercial pressures. But it cannot come at the cost of facts. And certainly not at the cost of someone's reputation and livelihood."