Filmstars, cricketers have accounts in Swiss banks, says Rudolf Elmer http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/rudolph-elmer-swiss-bank-indian-tax-evaders/1/150967.html In an explosive revelation, Swiss banking whistleblower Rudolf Elmer<http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/who-is-rudolf-elmer/1/127000.html>has said even cricketers and filmstars hold secret accounts. While refusing to give out names of tax evaders<http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/names-of-tax-defaulters-to-be-made-public/1/146637.html>, Elmer accused the Indian government of not doing enough on the black money front.
"There is a need for global commitment and action," Elmer, who was released from jail on July 25, 2011 told *Headlines Today* on Monday. In his first interview after being released from jail, Elmer has said there is a need for global commitment towards tightening noose around tax evaders - who he said are "criminals" - including filmstars and cricketers. "There is a need for global commitment and action," Elmer, who was released from jail on July 25, 2011 told *Headlines Today* on Monday. Fearing reprisals, Elmer declined to reveal names of "politicians, cricketers and filmstars". He said it's "all about approach", saying if the Indian government was at all serious about bringing back black money. Elmer cited the example of the US which had succeeded in getting the list of tax evading Americans who held accounts in tax havens. "The government is not committed. I think society has to put pressure on the Indian government to act. India is a big country, which is getting stronger by the day. It has the negotiating power," Elmer told *Headlines Today*executive editor Rahul Kanwal, while responding to a question as to how India needs to proceed on the issue of black money. Saying he can't give names because "I'll in serious problem", Elmer told *Headlines Today*, "I can't give a date, but it will happen sometime". He added the government was not doing enough. *Who is Elmer? *Rudolf Elmer is a former employee of Swiss bank Julius Bar, a highly reputed Swiss bank. Elmer worked at this bank for more than 20 years and headed the bank's wealth management services in Cayman Islands for over 8 years. While he was the bank's Chief Operating Officer in the Cayman Islands, Elmer claimed to have found evidence that his bank was helping its clients evade tax. He said he was fired when he brought this evidence to the notice of his bosses in Switzerland. It is this evidence that Elmer has copied onto a CD and handed over to Julian Assange, the editor of WikiLeaks in 2008. The CD contains details of bank accounts between 1997 and 2002. Elmer shook the world in January this year when he handed over to WikiLeaks a CD containing 2000 names of tax evaders. In that list figured the names of several Indians. Julius Bar alleges that Elmer has doctored evidence to suggest tax evasion. On July 25, 2011, Elmer was set free. -- With best wishes S Chander
