Not in a position to offer a judgement: US on tax surveys on BBC in India

The United States has said that it is "aware" of the survyes carried out by the Indian Tax authorities but refused to comment on the issue.

"We are aware of the search of the BBC offices in Delhi by Indian tax authorities. I would need to refer you to Indian authorities for the details of this search. Beyond this discrete action, what I'll say more broadly is the general point that I've consistently made in this context, but in a universal context as well," State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters here.

However, the US official stated that it continues the freedom of expression that strengthens democracies. "We support the importance of free press around the world. We continue to highlight the importance of freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief as human rights that contribute to strengthening democracies around the world. It has strengthened this democracy here in this country. It has strengthened India's democracy," Price added. These universal rights are the bedrock of democracies around the world, he asserted.

On asking whether the Indian taxmen's action went against some of the spirit or value of democracy, Price said, "I couldn't say. We're aware of the facts of these searches, but I'm just not in a position to offer a judgement." The Income Tax Department on Tuesday conducted a survey operation at the British Broadcasting Corporation's offices in Delhi and Mumbai.

Income tax officials arrived at BBC offices around 11.30 am located at the national capital's KG Marg for the survey on Tuesday. The British broadcaster's office at Kalina Santacruz in Mumbai was also surveyed, sources said adding that the survey was limited to the business premises of BBC only. There is no IT activity at the BBC News office at Linking road Bandra West. It is understood that the tax officials are conducting verification of certain account documents in the finance department of the BBC offices, ANI reported.

Responding to the ongoing searches, the BBC tweeted, "The Income Tax Authorities are currently at the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai and we are fully cooperating. We hope to have this situation resolved as soon as possible."

This development comes weeks after the UK's national broadcaster came up with a controversial series on the Indian Prime Minister.

The BJP on Tuesday slammed the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) calling it 'Bhrasht Bakwaas Corporation' in the world amid the ongoing 'survey' operations on its offices in India by the IT department.

It accused the BBC of unleashing "venomous" reporting against India and alleged that its propaganda and the Congress' agenda go together. "Income Tax department lawfully carried out raids at the BBC office. The IT department is no longer the 'caged parrot' as the Supreme Court had said about government institutions during the Congress rule," BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said in a press conference on Tuesday.

Hitting out at the London-headquartered public broadcaster, he said BBC is the "most corrupt" organisation in the world, adding that the Congress should remember that the then prime minister Indira Gandhi had also banned the broadcaster.

On the other hand, the Congress and other opposition parties slammed the government over the Income Tax survey operation at the BBC offices.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh said, "Here we are demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into allegations against Adani and the government is running after the BBC." "Vinash Kale Viprit Buddhi (When one's destruction time comes, they think in the most negative manner)," he added.

TMC MP Mahua Moitra, on Twitter said, "Reports of Income Tax raid at BBC's Delhi office. Wow, really? How unexpected."

"Meanwhile farsaan seva for Adani when he drops in for a chat with Chairman @SEBI_India office," she added.

SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav said that the reports of 'raids' at BBC offices are a declaration of an 'ideological emergency'.

The Editors Guild of India on Tuesday said it was "deeply concerned" about the Income Tax surveys at the offices of BBC India and termed it as a continuation of a "trend" of using government agencies to "intimidate and harass" media outlets critical of the ruling establishment. "The survey by the I-T department is in continuation of a trend of using government agencies to intimidate and harass press organisations that are critical of government policies or the ruling establishment," the Guild said in a statement here.