The Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, has yet again ruled out disclosing the names of those who have stashed away money in tax havens abroad.
He disclosed to the media that of the 18 names of secret account holders in a Liechtenstein bank, notices have been issued to 17. One person was dead and so no prosecution was possible, he said.
The Finance Minister was talking to reporters today a day after the media put out the details of a list of 18 names, including 15 individuals and three foundations, holding accounts in a Lichtenstein Bank.
Recalling his press conference in Delhi last week, Mr Pranab Mukherjee said the Government was not in a position to disclose the names it has got of those holding secret accounts abroad and these will be known once the matter comes up in court.
“I had said in my earlier press conference as and when there will be prosecution and the matter will come to the open court, then the names will be disclosed.
“But government suo motu cannot disclose the names. These are their concealed income. We have given the notices and prosecution will start very soon,” he said.
The Finance Minister said: “of the 18 names we got we have already started prosecution. Notices have been issued in the case of 17 persons. One person is dead so no prosecution could be made.”
He had at a press conference last week ruled out disclosing the names of account holders abroad citing absence of legal framework as a reason.