Rakul Preet Singh Denies Link to Income Tax Searches, Calls Reports ‘False and Speculative’

Bollywood actress Rakul Preet Singh has broken her silence over reports linking her to recent Income Tax Department searches, asserting that the investigation was not related to her and accusing some media outlets of publishing unverified and sensationalised claims.

The 'Yaariyan' actress took to social media on Monday to clarify her position and said she wanted to put an end to what she described as misleading reports about her alleged involvement.

"It's heartbreaking to see that there's a growing trend amongst the self-styled online reporters and some mainstream media journalists to sensationalise the news without verifying facts. Let's therefore set the record straight once for all. The search was not pertaining to me," Rakul wrote.

She said her background and professional journey were based on hard work rather than industry connections, while stressing that she has consistently complied with her tax obligations.

"Let it be known that I am from the Armed Forces background and had no Godfather in the Industry. I have come up through sheer hardwork and as a responsible law abiding citizen have been paying my due taxes since the age of 20 years," she said.

Rakul also categorically denied any involvement in illegal foreign remittances, either personally or on behalf of a production house. She further rejected suggestions that she held benami properties in India or abroad.

"I am not involved in any kind of illegal Foreign remittance in personal capacity or on behalf of any Production house," she said, adding that she did not own any benami property on behalf of anyone and had never accepted expensive property as gifts.

The actress urged media organisations and individuals who had published what she called false and speculative reports to withdraw them and issue clarifications.

"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," she said.

The controversy followed Income Tax Department searches at multiple locations in Mumbai reportedly linked to Rakul's father-in-law and film producer Vashu Bhagnani and Panorama Studios.

The Mumbai Income Tax Department reportedly conducted searches at 12 locations as part of an investigation into suspected financial irregularities. Officials were looking into allegations that funds may have been routed overseas under the guise of financing film projects.

Rakul's statement comes as a direct denial of any personal involvement in the alleged financial irregularities and seeks to distinguish her from the entities and individuals reportedly under investigation.