Income Tax officials conducting surveys at BBC office in India

Not raid, Income Tax officials conducting surveys at BBC office in India

New Delhi, Feb 14: The officials from the Income Tax Department are reportedly conducting surveys at the Delhi and Mumbai offices of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

The I-T sleuths are conducting surveys over allegations of international taxation and transfer pricing irregularities involving the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), NDTV reported citing sources.

The taxmen have pointed out that it was not raids but surveys."We needed some clarifications and for that our team is visiting BBC office and we are carrying out a survey. Our officers have gone to check account books, these are not searches," Income Tax sources told the news channel.

According to a report in India Today, the I-T sleuths have seized the phones of employees have been seized.

The department is looking at documents related to the business operations of the company and those related to its Indian arm, they said. As part of a survey, the Income Tax Department only covers the business premises of a company and does not raid residences and other locations of its promoters or directors, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, the Congress took a swipe at the government over the Income Tax survey operation at the BBC offices, saying while they are demanding a JPC on the Adani issue it is after the BBC.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh also used a Hindi idiom to attack the government, saying "Vinash Kale, Vipreet Buddhi" (When doom approaches, a person's intellect works against his interest). "Here we are demanding JPC on the Adani issue but the government is after the BBC. Vinash Kale Viprit Buddhi," Ramesh said

It comes weeks after the BBC released a controversial series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over 2002 Gujarat riots. The series examined how "Narendra Modi's premiership has been dogged by persistent allegations about the attitude of his government towards India's Muslim population" and "a series of controversial policies" implemented by Modi following his 2019 re-election, including "the removal of Kashmir's special status guaranteed under Article 370" and "a citizenship law that many said treated Muslims unfairly", which "has been accompanied by reports of violent attacks on Muslims by Hindus," the BBC stated.

The Ministry of External Affairs trashed the documentary as a "propaganda piece" that lacks objectivity and reflects a colonial mindset.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday stated that "thousands of conspiracies cannot harm the truth.

"Truth shines bright like the sun. They have been doing it since 2002 against PM Narendra Modi. And every time, he has emerged stronger, truthfully and by gaining more popularity among people every time," he said in an interview with ANI when asked if there is a conspiracy in the wake of Hindenburg report and BBC documentary.