Sachin Tendulkar named among six Indians in Pandora papers list of tax evaders

Indian cricket legend, Sachin Tendulkar along with his wife Anjali Tendulkar and father in law Anand Mehta have been named in the list of offshore tax evaders in the latest investigative journalism expose by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ)

Sachin is among few celebrities like pop musician Shakira, supermodel Claudia Schiffer etc. who have been named in the list which constitutes 956 companies belonging to 336 high-level politicians and public officials from around the world. 

According to the ICIJ, of which Indian media outlet The Indian Express is a part, said, that the Indian cricket superstar Sachin Tendulkar, who has been a Member of the Upper House of Parliament, along with members of his family, figures in the Pandora Papers as Beneficial Owners of an offshore entity in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) which was liquidated in 2016.

The BVI company that Sachin is being linked to is Saas International Limited, which was liquidated in 2016. At the time of its liquidation, Sachin Tendulkar had bought back 9 shares, equalling $856,702 while Anjali and her father had (14 shares= $1,375,714 and 5 shares=$453,082) respectively. 

Replying to the allegations, Mrinmoy Mukherjee, CEO and Director of Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, said, “We would at the outset wish to strongly reiterate the legitimacy of the referenced investment by Mr Tendulkar, the payment of taxes on such funds, and the declaration of such investment in Mr Tendulkar’s tax returns.”

“As is evident from the payment of taxes by Mr Tendulkar and the declaration of such investment in Mr Tendulkar’s tax returns, there can be no question of Mr Tendulkar having engaged in any of the practices," he added.