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Eight years after 11 million leaked secret financial documents revealed how some of the world's richest people hide their wealth, more than two dozen defendants are on trial in Panama for their alleged roles. The repercussions of the leaks were far-ranging, prompting the resignation of the prime minister of Iceland and bringing scrutiny to the then-leaders of Argentina and Ukraine, Chinese politicians and Russian President Vladimir Putin, among others. But those on trial now for alleged money laundering are principally the leaders and associates of the now defunct Panamanian boutique law firm that helped set up the shell companies used to obscure those really behind them. The leaders of that firm, Jrgen Mossack and Ramn Fonseca, are among those on trial. WHAT IS THE PANAMA PAPERS CASE ABOUT? Panamanian prosecutors allege that Mossack, Fonseca and their associates created a web of offshore companies that used complex transactions to hide money linked to illicit activities in the ca
More than 5.57 lakh companies were struck off the records in the last five years due to non-compliance with various provisions of the companies law, according to the government. Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Rao Inderjit Singh on Tuesday said that 5,57,055 companies were struck off under Section 248 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Removal of Names of Companies from the Register of Companies) Rules, 2016 in the country in the last five years. They were struck off due to non-compliance with provisions of the Act, he said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha. He also said that the term 'shell company' is not defined under the Act. It normally refers to a company without active business operation or significant assets, which in some cases are used for illegal purpose such as tax evasion, money laundering, obscuring ownership and benami properties, he added. Further, the minister said the special task force set up by the government to look into the issue of
The Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) has arrested an individual who has emerged as the mastermind behind incorporating a large number of shell companies with Chinese links in India and providing dummy directors on their boards. The arrest comes against the backdrop of the crackdown on Chinese shell companies that are allegedly into "serious financial crimes". In a statement on Sunday, the corporate affairs ministry said it has arrested one Dortse, who is on the board of Jillian India Ltd, on Saturday. This follows simultaneous search and seizure operations conducted by the ministry on September 8 in the offices of Jillian Consultants India Private Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jilian Hong Kong Ltd at Gurgaon, Fininty Pvt Ltd at Bangalore and Husys Consulting Ltd at Hyderabad. "Dortse is on the Board of Jillian India Ltd and has clearly emerged as the mastermind of the whole racket of incorporating large number of shell companies with Chinese links in India and providin