Former Finance Minister Paudel Denies Involvement in Shreeram Tobacco Deal

Former Finance Minister Vishnu Paudel has denied any involvement in the Shreeram Tobacco deal, saying he did not facilitate the sale of 20% of the company’s shares to businessman Deepak Bhatt.

Paudel made the statement in response to allegations made by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, which claimed that he had misused his position to benefit Bhatt.

Paudel stated that he had not instructed the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Supplies to grant permission for the import of tobacco, and that the ministry was responsible for making such decisions.

He also denied allegations that he had helped Bhatt’s company, Himalayan Assets, acquire shares of Shreeram Tobacco at a low price, and that he had not received any benefits from the deal.

Paudel claimed that the allegations against him were baseless and false, and that he had not committed any wrongdoing during his tenure as finance minister.