Mumbai, December 31 :The entire Bollywood fraternity has come out in support of Pakistani singer Adnan Sami after the Enforcement Directorate ordered attachment of his properties on grounds that he was a Pakistani national, reports the Media.
Veteran star Dev Anand has gone to the extent of offering his Pali Hill bungalow for Adnan and his wife to stay in the event of their becoming homeless, the report says.
“Mumbai is my home and I am not going anywhere, especilly after the overwhelming response and support I received from Mumbai film industry”, said Adnan Sami.
The singer, who will be filing an appeal against the ED order attaching his properties, said Bollywood friends and colleagues have assured him all support if he needs it Fans, and the extended family of Adnan Sami in Pakistan have been appealing to the singer to return home, but Adnan is adamant.
On Dev Anand’s reported offer of his Pali Hill bungalow, Adnan Sami said: “I am not worried about not having a roof over my head. I hve 45 days to appeal against the order. Besides, I have great friends in the city who have assured me with their kind words and gestures. So I have nothing to fear.”
Sami’s Lawyer Vaibhav Krishna told Media he would appeal before the Appellate Forum of FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) in the next few days.
“The ED has not issued a confiscation order. Adnan will stay in his house, file an appeal and await adjudication.”, he said.
Legal experts, the Media report said, pointed out that it could take years before the ED confiscates Adnan Sami’s flats, as the appeal in the Appellate Forum and higher courts will take up much time.
Adnan Sami had bought the property in question in 2003 for Rs 2.3 crore. He had taken a bank loan of Rs 1.5 crore and says he never hid his nationality in the official documents.
“My property is registered in my name. Why didn’t the authorities or the bank check the documents to confirm my nationality at that time? I wasn’t aware that I could not buy property in India”, said Adnan Sami.
“I have been in India for 12 years now on a business visa. I have applied for Indian citizenship and has been paying taxes to the government on my earnings all these years”, said the singer.
——–Agencies