BJP terms Singhvi's claim of termite attack 'highly ridiculous'

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday condemned Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi for alleged tax evasion, adding that his claim of documents being destroyed by a termite attack is 'highly ridiculous' and was a matter of grave concern.

"This is a classic case of how the black money is produced within the country by the tall leaders of Congress. The Congress has lot to answer. We condemn it," BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra told ANI.

"The kind of report that the settlement commission today has submitted as far as the tax evasion by Abhishek Manu Singhvi is concerned is a matter of grave concern. We have seen as to how Singhvi has no documentary proof to back as to where he spent his money. And today he says that all the documentary evidences have been destroyed by a termite attack, this is highly ridiculous," he added.

On Monday, Singhvi had approached the Settlement Commission last year seeking immunity from penalty and prosecution by saying that termites ate up his tax and expense records, because of which he could not prove his claims.

Refusing to accept this, the Settlement Commission has added over Rs 91.95 crore to his declared professional income and slapped a penalty of Rs 56.67 crore.