Did not buy residence with corruption money, clarifies actor-turned-politician Nusrat Jahan

Nusrat Jahan while refuting the allegations leveled against her claiming she defrauded retired employees of Rs 24 crore, said, "I did not buy residence with corruption money."

Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MP and former actor, Nusrat Jahan, refuted the allegations over her alleged involvement in duping a retired employees of Rs 24 crore. During a 10-minute press conference at Kolkata Press Club on Wednesday, Jahan strongly spoke about her innocence.

Nusrat abruptly left the conference after responding to a barrage of questions from the media. In a determined tone, she said, "I took a loan of Rs 1,16,30,285 from the company I was associated with to buy a new house. On May 6, 2017, I returned Rs 1,40,71,995 to the company, inclusive of interest. I possess the relevant bank documents. I am ready to challenge any insinuation of corruption. Not even a single penny has been misappropriated."

Addressing her delayed response to the allegations, Nusrat explained that she was engaged in an outdoor shoot when the accusations surfaced. "Those who are guilty have to offer clarifications, but I am not guilty of any wrongdoing and hence no clarification is needed", she added. Regarding the legal process, she said, "The law will take its own course in the matter. Though certain media outlets have sensationalised the matter, I have still faith in the legal system."

Nusrat Jahan faced allegations of corruption from BJP leader Shanku Deb Panda and a few aspiring flat buyers, who alleged that she had misappropriated funds from a company where she worked as a joint director. The company purportedly took money from 429 individuals in 2014, promising 3 BHK flats near the HIDCO office at Rajarhat in exchange. Despite a promise of delivery within three years, the flats were not provided even after nine years. The total alleged fraud amounted to Rs 24 crores.

Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition, lent his support to the claims, asserting, "The Basirhat MP, Nusrat Jahan is directly linked to corruption. The MP utilized funds from senior citizens to purchase a flat worth Rs 1,55,00,000. This is a grave act of corruption."