Rakul Preet Singh has responded publicly after reports linked her to last week’s Income Tax searches. The actor said the searches were not about her, called the coverage “malicious and false,” and asked outlets to retract their reports.
What Rakul said, point by point
In a statement on Instagram, Rakul set out her side of the story. She said she comes from an Armed Forces background, has had “no Godfather” in the industry, and has paid income tax since the age of 20.
She then addressed the specific claims directly:
- No illegal foreign remittance in a personal capacity
- No illegal remittance on behalf of any production house
- No Benami property in India or abroad
- No expensive gifts accepted as a matter of principle
She asked outlets to retract “false, malicious and speculative reports,” adding that commercial pressure cannot come at the cost of facts or someone’s reputation and livelihood.
Where the tax-search reports started
Reports last week said the Income Tax Department searched 12 locations linked to Rakul and her father-in-law, producer Vashu Bhagnani. The searches took place on Monday, September 28, over suspected fund irregularities. The reports said investigators were looking into funds allegedly routed abroad under the guise of financing film projects. Vashu Bhagnani did not respond to queries.
Because Rakul was named as a connected person, the story quickly became a Rakul headline, even though a search at a location does not automatically mean the person at that address is the subject of an investigation.
Why the distinction matters
For celebrity-watchers, the useful frame is process versus allegation. An Income Tax search is a process: departments can search many premises and many people while following an investigation. An allegation is a specific claim against a person. The two are not interchangeable, but headlines often compress them into one name.
Rakul’s comeback tries to undo that compression. She is not just denying legal claims; she is defending the reputation that underpins her work, endorsements, and public goodwill. For an actor, those headlines are watched by brands, producers and broadcasters, so a false implication can linger even after a clarification.
What to do with the story
For readers, the rule is simple. Treat “searched at a location linked to” as an unproven step, not a verdict. Wait for an official statement or formal clarification before drawing conclusions. Screenshots and headlines do not replace the record.
The next signal will be whether outlets correct their reports or stand by them. If the Income Tax Department issues a formal clarification, that will carry more weight than another round of commentary.
Source: Hindustan Times
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