In a dramatic development on Saturday evening, the Ahmedabad man, Mahesh Shah, who declared black money of Rs 13,860 crore under the Government's Income Declaration Scheme (IDS) and went missing without paying the first instalment of tax, emerged in front of the media making a revelation that the amount did not belong to him but to a group of 'big people'.
On the live television broadcast, Shah admitted that the amount of Rs 13,860 crore did not belong to him but to "powerful people, who could be politicians, businessmen and officers."
Shah, who went missing since the Income Tax department raided his house and office in Ahmedabad on November 29 and 30th, said, "This was not my money. I will reveal their names to the I-T department.. They are big people," said Shah.
Shah, 67, claimed that he was in Mumbai when the I-T raided his house and rushed directly to the TV studio to put his case before the public.
"I am not a fugitive. My family doesn't know anything related to my work," he said.
"I had filed the IDS because I had some personal needs. I wanted to pay the first instalment, but the people, who owned this money, backed off and complicated the things. But, the I-T Department did not wait till 30th and cancelled my form two days before. I don't want to say anything further," he said on ETV Gujarati news channel network.
" Sab bohot jaldi samne aayega. Bohot jaldi doodh ka doodh aur paani ka paani ho jayega. (Everything will be clear to the public very soon.)," said Shah seeking support from the government, the I-T department and the media to reveal the true faces behind the amount of Rs 13,860 crore.
After the live television broadcast of Shah, senior I-T officials along with police officials swung into action and rushed to the ETV studio in Ahmedabad. Sensing the sensitive nature of the revelations, Shah was initially taken to the Police Station under police protection.
"I want to clarify that none of my family members, my chartered accountant or any of my friends, whose names are appearing in the media are not involved in this. I am here to reveal the truth. I want to prove my innocence," said Shah, before being taken by the I-T officials.