Kapil Sibal denies any links with Tehelka, Tejpal

Politicians should not even interfere in this issue, it is regarding a woman's dignity, says Sibal

Law Minister Kapil Sibal Wednesday denied any links with Tarun Tejpal, also saying he had no shares in the Tehelka magazine.

Messages have been circulating on social networking sites saying Tejpal's mother is related to Sibal.

"I did not expect the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh) and the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) to stoop to this level. They can attack me politically, they must not bring my family into it. Tarun Tejpal's mother is not my sister," Sibal said Wednesday.

He also attacked Lok Sabha leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj, who Wednesday said a "cabinet minister who is the founder and patron of Tehelka is shielding Tarun Tejpal".

"Because I have been attacking Modi and BJP, obviously for them this is the only way to spread lies and willify my name.

"The political leaders who are tangentially talking about me, saying I am shielding Tejpal, should name me if they have the guts. Should I say how the leader of opposition was shielding the Reddy brothers," Sibal said referring to the multi-crore mining scam in Karnataka.

The Reddy brothers - G Janardhana and G Karunakara - are accused in the Karnataka mining scam.

Sibal also denied having any share in Tehelka. "I never asked for a share, they never gave me a single share," he said.

He added: "Politicians should not even interfere in this issue, it is regarding a woman's dignity."