Amid the raging controversy of alleged extortion Shilpa Shetty has issued the following letter to press conveying her side of story. "I had chosen to remain silent, not for the lack of conviction, but for my family's dignity. My silence was being misconstrued and my family maligned. Now, I choose to speak. My parents, who have lived their lives with dignity and self-respect and been law-abiding citizens, have been made to look like criminals. Not one has waited for our side of the story. What makes it worse is that it is too late for us to speak, as the matter is subjudice.A section of the media, mainly the electronic media, has gone ballistic and blown this incident out of proportion, without caring about the truth. Sensitivity is perhaps too much to ask for. It has been a harrowing experience for my parents and they have been subjected to harassment by the press. They have run from pillar to post to prove their innocence.

We come from a decent background and would never stoop so low. Only a defaulter could have contrived something like this to deviate from the real issue. The truth is, we were going to take the matter to court, but before we could, the tables were turned on us and we were made to look like villains. It hit the headlines and we did not know what hit us. Without knowing the facts or the history of the case, the media sat in judgment, with only one side of the story. It proclaimed the victim and the villain, based on evidence, which has not yet been substantiated. It prejudged without asking certain pertinent questions. Despite being the aggrieved party, we are being termed the aggressors, manipulators and villains. The case has been hyped to become so high profile that it has become difficult for us to handle. No one is looking for the truth anymore, for the sake of selling a story. A section of the press has time and again taken potshots at me, questioned my capability as an actress, presumed, assumed, concocted stories and made fun of my personal life. I had taken it in my stride in the past, understanding that I would be a part and parcel of being famous. I was told there was a price to pay for celebrityhood. If only I knew my parents would have to pay a price too, I would never have accepted.

My parents have imparted the right values and made Shamita and me the people we are. We look upto them and it breaks my heart to see them go through this bitter humiliation. At this age, they don't deserve this. No one deserves this. Especially when they haven't done anything wrong. God is witness. My parents are innocent and only time will prove this. The truth will be there for all to see. And then, will the media be able to correct the pain it has inflicted? Will it be able to repair the damage to our reputation? Will it able to make up for the heartache of my father and the deteriorating health of my mother? My humble plea, with folded hands to the press and all those reading this, please don't convict us before the court's verdict. Please put things in perspective. All I want is a little fairness."