Panama Papers: The big names that found a place in the list

More than 11 million documents from the secret files of Mossack Fonseca, a law firm headquartered in tax haven Panama, known for its factory-like production of offshore companies for its worldwide clientele of the well-heeled. The records were accessed by Munich-based newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung which a year ago collaborated with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and, in turn, with over 100 media organisations, including The Indian Express, to investigate its contents. Here is a list of major personalities from the political, entertainment and sports world who found a place in the tainted list.

Records of international law firm Mossack Fonseca, reviewed by The Indian Express, and subsequent inquiries show that the four companies, in which Amitabh Bachchan was appointed director, were registered in tax havens — one in the British Virgin Islands and three in the Bahamas in November 1993 (Express photo)

The Indian Express accessed MF documents which show that Aishwarya Rai, her father Kotedadi Ramana Rai Krishna Rai, mother Vrinda Krishna Raj Rai and brother Aditya Rai were appointed on May 14, 2005, as directors of Amic Partners Limited — with an initial authorised capital of $50,000. (Express photo)

Abdul Rashid Mir is an NRI. On asking by The Indian Express, he said " Neither I nor Tabasum have ever held any stake in or any control of Mondale SA which was incorporated and controlled by a trust founded by late Mujib Mir who almost his entire life was an NRI. (Express photo)

Dr. Cyrus S. Poonawalla is the chairman of Poonawalla Group, which includes Serum Institute of India, the Indian biotech company that manufactures paediatric vaccines. On asking by The Indian Express investigation team, he said, “Yes, we are directors in the company. As we remitted money under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme through the automatic route, no special permission from RBI was necessary. We have disclosed all details to Indian tax authorities. As this was part of an official transaction, it was not necessary for any declaration under the amnesty scheme.” (Express photo)

Kushal Pal Singh is an Indian real estate developer and the chairman and CEO of real estate developer DLF Limited. K P Singh, responding on behalf of the family, said: “It is submitted that the permissible modus operandi of RBI for remittance of money under permissible LRS limit each year allows a Resident Indian to firstly open a bank account in a foreign bank and thereafter remit the funds in it. The remittances commenced in 2004 after RBI announced the LRS, the quantum of remittances were within the prescribed limits, and undertaken through the Authorised Dealer. (Express photo)

Shishir Kumar Bajoria served as Managing Director of IFGL Refractories Limited. “My family through a private limited company holds majority shareholding of IFGL Refractories Ltd which has a subsidiary IFGL Worldwide Holdings Ltd (IWHL) in Isle of Man. Also, my wife and myself are shareholders of Sonnish Ltd, another Isle of Man company. So I am a client of First Names Group, Isle of Man. I have not, nor have ever, owned (beneficially or otherwise) Haptic BVI Ltd. I believe that any connection to me was made in error,” said Bajoria.(Express photo)

Onkar s Kanwar is the Chairman & MD of Apollo Tyres Ltd. A spokesperson of Apollo Tyres stated: “India lawfully permits foreign investments in accordance with certain regulations. Any investment abroad, that the Kanwar family may have, is in due compliance with Indian laws, where applicable, including making disclosures wherever required. Much of family mentioned in your mail, are Non Residents of India (NRIs). They are covered by other nation’s permissible laws for their foreign investments, and are not covered by Indian laws & restrictions on residents, in matters such as Income Tax and RBI.” (Express photo)

Iceland’s prime minister was under pressure to quit after the leak of the “Panama Papers” tax documents showed he and his wife used an offshore firm to allegedly hide million-dollar investments.

Barcelona's Lionel Messi is accused of “setting up a tax fraud network” by using Panamian company Mega Star Enterprises.

Nawaz Sharif is the 12th and current Prime Minister of Pakistan in office since June 2013. According to the Panama Papers, he has many lands and properties both in Pakistan, as well as overseas, including several in London's upmarket Mayfair district — stately homes for the super rich and their families.

Vladimir Putin and Sergey Roldugin forged a bond as young men. Fast friends, almost like brothers, they cruised the streets of Leningrad, singing and, in Putin’s case, occasionally getting into fistfights. As Putin rose to power as Russia’s supreme leader and Roldugin made a name for himself as a classical cellist and conductor, the two remained close. Roldugin has performed for Putin and high-profile guests at the president’s official residence and has given media interviews that softened Putin’s fearsome image.