'I never thought I-T raid can happen in my profession'

Bar dancer Tarannum Khan Interview
'I always knew them (bookies) as my customers and nothing else. I have no idea about any cricketer coming to the bar and meeting me'

Why did you get into this profession and how?

The circumstances were not good. My family was dying of hunger.  After passing out from Higher Secondary school and completing my Advance Diploma in Computer Education (ADCE) I did many menial jobs, but it was not enough to meet both meals and the medical expenses of my ailing parents. Hence I took to bar dancing.

Since how long have you been working in dance bars?

Since last seven years.

How much money have you been earning every day?

Rs 8,000 to 10,000

Why did you store so much of money in your home?

I never thought Income Tax raid can happen in my profession. It was my hard earned money. They have taken the money which I had saved in all these years.

What about the allegations about your underworld  and  the bookies connection?

The allegations are all false. There is not even an iota of truth in it.

But there are allegations that the bookies were frequent visitors to your bar and you were in touch with them?

I always knew them as my customers and nothing else.

Aditya Panscholi said he took a well-known cricketer to Deepa Bar!

I saw it on TV today. I may have been not there at that time or may have been in  other hall. I have no idea about any cricketer coming to the bar and meeting me.

How many times have you been abroad?

I have once gone to Dubai for a dancing show organised in a five star hotel. I was there for three months. There are many Indian music bands performing in five star hotels in Dubai and I was a part of one such band.

How has life changed after your house was raided?

The whole world has changed suddenly. Press and media has harrowed me so much and has made my life miserable. Now people point at my home and say 'look this is the house where the bar girl stays'. Now whole India knows about me. I want an answer from the Government; what will happen if all the allegations leveled against me turns false ? Who will be responsible for it?

Do you know anybody from underworld?

I do not know anybody from the underworld. I am not involved in illegal activities.

To earn more money,I visited Dubai in 1995-96 when I was 16-year-old, to  perform stage.

Do you have link with England and Australian bookies?

I have no links with any bookies. All types of clients including  businessmen, cricketers, bookies used to visit to 'Deepa Bar' to see me dance.  It was during this time that I came contact with few bookies. Occasionally, I engaged them in friendly betting. But it wasn't anything professional.

What is your background?

I am neither from Agra nor Mira Road. I have been born and brought up in Mumbai.  I am serving in the dance bar for the past six years.

Why the Income Tax officials raided your bungalow?

I did not file Income-Tax Returns for the past for four years. Moreover, my chartered accountant misguided me.

Panscholi speaks

I don't deny meeting Muralitharan

My friends asked me if I wanted to meet Muralitharan. Tell me will any cricket buff say no to such an offer?

I accept that I went with Muralitharan to Deepa Bar. We were there only for 15 minutes

I never met Tarannum Khan

I welcome Mumbai Police to interrogate me and punish me if I am guilty