Black Money Names Selectively Released.

As the government today revealed three names in the Supreme Court in connection with untaxed or black money in foreign accounts, opposition parties alleged that the names had been released selectively to protect powerful people.

Former union minister Salman Khurshid of the Congress said, "Whatever names they have given, if they feel it's right then let them go ahead. We have no issues about the government releasing names. But selective naming should not be done."

The names revealed today are Pradip Burman of the Dabur India group, Rajkot-based bullion trader Pankaj Chimanlal Lodhiya and five members of Goa-based mining firm Timblo. In its affidavit to the court, the government said they are being prosecuted for tax evasion as unaccounted for money was found in their foreign accounts.

Arvind Kejriwal, the chief of the Aam Aadmi Party, said he had revealed the same names two years ago but the government was deliberately shielding powerful people on the black money list.

"We want the government to say whether all the names that we disclosed ear;ier are in the list or not. The list of all foreign account holders should be revealed and there should be uniform action against the guilty, " Mr Kejriwal said.

The government told the court this morning that it has no intention of withholding names and they would be revealed in cases where tax evasion was established.

Earlier, the government had drawn criticism for saying the names could not be revealed as tax treaties with other countries didn't allow it unless charges are framed in court. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had then told NDTV that names would be shared with the Supreme Court as and when investigations were completed and "some names will embarrass the Congress."

The Left questioned why no politicians' names had been revealed in court. "Where are the names that will embarrass the Congress party?" asked CPI leader D Raja. more