"Produce A Shred Of Evidence": Chidambaram's Family Challenges Modi Govt

We are absolutely confident that ultimately, truth will prevail. Shri P. Chidambaram has been in public life for nearly 50 years and his impeccable honesty, work as well as contribution cannot be wiped out by a campaign of vilification.

P. Chidambaram. (FILE PIC/AFP)

New Delhi: The family of P Chidambaram who is mired in INX media money laundering case has issued a statement slamming the “government’s motive to demonize and humiliate” the Congress leader. “We are distressed to note that the media has been reporting completely wild, unverified and unsubstantiated allegations against P Chidambaram…. we are deeply saddened that the media is unable to uphold liberty against calumny,” the Chidambarams said in a press statement. Defending Chidambaram, the family said it possesses enough wealth and does not need to earn money using underhand tactics. “We are a small family possessed of enough wealth. We are all income tax assesses. We do not crave for money and we have no need to seek money in unlawful ways.” Extolling the virtues of his 'impeccable honesty', the Chidambarams asserted that the Congress leader's contribution in the public space for 50 years cannot be wiped out by a 'campaign of vilification'. The family said the allegations of properties having multiple bank accounts in various countries are are just “chapters plucked out of ghost stories”. “We are therefore astounded by allegations of properties in multiple countries, multiple bank accounts, numerous shell companies etc.” “One day these ghosts will be buried.” Further, it challenged the government to produce a shred of evidence against him. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court extended till tomorrow protection from arrest granted to P Chidambaram in the INX media money laundering case. READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW: We are distressed to note that the media has been reporting completely wild, unverified and unsubstantiated allegations against Sh. P. Chidambaram in the last few days. While we understand that the motive of the government to demonize and humiliate Sh. P. Chidambaram, we are deeply saddened that the media is unable to uphold liberty against calumny. One of the fundamental principles of liberty “Every person is presumed innocent unless proved to be guilty in a court of law”. We are absolutely confident that ultimately, truth will prevail. Shri P. Chidambaram has been in public life for nearly 50 years and his impeccable honesty, work as well as contribution cannot be wiped out by a campaign of vilification. We are a small family possessed of enough wealth. We are all income tax assesses. We do not crave for money and we have no need to seek money in unlawful ways. We are therefore astounded by allegations of properties in multiple countries, multiple bank accounts, numerous shell companies etc. These are chapters plucked out of ghost stories, one day these ghosts will be buried. We challenge the government to produce a shred of evidence in support of one undisclosed bank account, one undisclosed property or one shell company anywhere in the world. Our appeal to the media is to exercise restraint, uphold liberty and dignity, always remember that only the Rule of Law will protect all of us including the media.