Why hush on black money: SC asks Centre

Supreme Court has questioned the Government why it is reluctant in disclosing the names of Indian nationals who have allegedly stashed black money in foreign banks.

A Bench, comprising B Sudershan Reddy and S S Nijjar, made this remark when Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium informed the court that the Government has got the details but did not want to reveal it.

The court's remarks came after the Government contended that it has got the information from the German Government pertaining to the bank accounts of Indian citizens in Liechtenstein Bank there.

After the court's poser, Subramanium submitted he would take instructions from the Government with reference to the names of the Indian nationals holding bank accounts in foreign countries.

The court was hearing a petition filed by noted criminal lawyer Ram Jethmalani who, along with some retired bureaucrats and police officers, approached it seeking directions to the Government to take steps to bring black money stashed in foreign bank back to the country.

The petitioners alleged that the Government is not serious on the issue and despite having all the information given by the German Government, it has done nothing for the last two years.