Jay Panda refutes media report on Income Tax complaints

Bhubaneswar: Former Kendrapara MP Baijayant ‘Jay’ Panda today strongly refuted allegations of money laundering and tax evasion against him reported in a section of national media today. Some political parties see it as a vendetta politics against the former parliamentarian as he was targeted on several occasions in the past.

Reacting to the report, Panda today said, "I strongly deny allegations of wrongdoing. Family companies have over 60 years of track record of creating jobs in Odisha, and have made many, many global transactions, including making and receiving investments and loans."

Panda further stated that ''Some transactions made profits and others made losses, that is the nature of business. Moreover, all the transactions were made through official channels, with proper approvals from the authorities.''

Earlier, Panda categorically stated in a tweet that such allegations have become a ritual for many years now that, just before every election cycle, or when he has taken a particular stand that goes against certain vested interests, such allegations are routinely brought against me.

As per the reports published in a leading national daily, Panda and his family have been accused of committing offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the Black Money Act, the Income-Tax Act through shell companies.

Responding to media reports on Income Tax notice, BJD spokesperson, Sameer Dash said “It is a government thing and Income Tax department is reviewing it. It will be right to comment only after something concrete comes up. But we have to accept that prima facie it appears that there is something for which Income Tax department is carrying out its work.”

Opposition party chief whip and senior Congress leader, Tara Prasad Bahinipati, on the other hand, sensed something fishy behind such allegations.

“The way BJD and BJP are misusing agencies like CBI, Police and other institutions, it is not at all healthy for political leaders in Odisha,” said Bahinipati.

Odisha BJP president Basant Panda said, “Baijayant Panda is the only person in Odisha who has been targeted several times in the past. Such vendetta politics is not at all good for democracy.”