P Chidambaram, eminent senior advocate and former Finance Minister, has alleged that the raids conducted by the Income-tax department on Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd and Vasan Eye Care, companies said to be connected to his son, Karti Chidamabaram, is a “malicious onslaught” by the Government on him. In reply to the allegations, the CBDT has issued a press release dated 01.12.2015 stating that the search action was based on “credible information of tax evasion and large scale financial irregularities” committed by the group. It is also claimed that “certain incriminating evidence indicative of tax evasion and financial irregularities have been recovered during the on-going investigation”. The CBDT has also clarified that there is no collateral purpose behind the search action and that no political person or his family member have been targeted.
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Direct TaxesPRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 1st December, 2015
Subject: Search and Survey operations under the Income-tax Act on certain groups at Chennai and Tiruchirapalli-reg
Based upon credible information of tax evasion and large scale financial irregularities committed by a group based at Chennai and Tiruchirappalli, the Investigation Wing of the Income Tax Department at Chennai has been conducting investigation. As part of such investigation, searches under section 132 and surveys under section 133A of the Income-tax Act, 1961 are being conducted at the residential and business premises of the key functionaries of the group, today i.e., 1st December 2015.
Survey is also being conducted at the business premises of another private limited company in Chennai which has shareholding in a company of the aforesaid group.
Certain incriminating evidence indicative of tax evasion and financial irregularities have been recovered during the on-going investigation. Further action as per law will follow.The searches and surveys have been conducted strictly as per the provisions of the Income-tax Act. These are consequential to the on-going investigations. There is no collateral purpose behind such actions and no political person or his family member are today shareholders or directors of the companies searched or surveyed by the Income Tax Department.
Disclosure of information respecting assessees is prohibited except as provided in section 138 of the Income-tax Act, 1961.
(Shefali Shah)
Pr. Commissioner of Income Tax (OSD)
Official Spokesperson, CBDT
It is nothing but a routine wailing of the culprits to glide on alibi on the government as vendetta and also threaten to file contempt petition and so on to digress the common as if they are chaste and honest. The culprits too have slew of judges to be influenced to their favour if the present trends in most of the courts are any indication
right.
Was CBDT obliged to issue such press release for clarification? How conducting survey/search is ‘malicious onslaught’? Just because the person searched/surveyed happens to be in close association of a corrupt political party/leader? If so, CBDT should be prompt to respond to similar grievances of ‘honest tax payers’. It appears that – taking into account past – Congress leaders still consider themselves above law and now cannot tolerate if the law takes its own due course.
Well said Govindji. It is a clear indication of how CBDT acts, reacts etc. to only higher profile personalities. It never cares even to give a reply to an honest departmental man or honest tax payer or any one who acts in good faith.
Please wait, truth will come out
Was Mr Chidambaram covered in the search conducted by the department .He does not say so .His statement reads
P Chidambaram, eminent senior advocate and former Finance Minister, has alleged that the raids conducted by the Income-tax department on Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt Ltd and Vasan Eye Care, companies said to be connected to his son, Karti Chidamabaram, is a “malicious onslaught” by the Government on him.
How come a search on a company translate itself to be a malacious onslaught.Then if I as a person holds shares of many companies and those are covered by the department can the action on those companies be termed as malicious onslaught against me .When a person in a position one has to be careful not to make such statements .That in fact tantamount to interference with a system .He could have kept the cards close to his chest( as all advocates do) and be aired with facts at the appropriate forum after the investigation is complete.His untimely out burst not timed well.
All people who have lost power cannot digest when skeletons come out of the cupboard.At least in this case I feel . as reported, Mr Chidambaram has jumped the gun.
In India how many thieves have admitted their guilt so far ? He is an eminent Advocate and most of the Lawyers are paid to convert Black into White and vice versa. When he has given public statement , people should presume that what Incometax department has done is Right ; denial is admission of the guilt.
Very right.
The statement of Mr. Chidambaram clearly states his style of working as finance minister i.e. “malicious onslaught”. One will see the others and others’ actions in his perceived perceptions only. His mannerism in Parliament as finance minister was clear indication of his perceptions.
absolutely right.
Has, any wrong doer, ever appreciated the investigation against? Then how he can be an exception.
Secondly,if some one has not done any thing wrong, he should, instead of crying,welcome the investigation because, after coming clean,not only his own esteem will get enhanced, society will also respect and support him. Gone are the days, when such crying used to pressurerise not only the Investigating Agencies but Govt. also. Crying foul is not going to help any wrong-doer in these days. Jai Hind.
Nothing better can be expected of these Congressies. Who have been looting the country and now not allowing the Parliament to function so that country can progress. After several decades India has got a Govt which really wants to deliver.
These people will always cry foul.
I earnestly request the judiciary to decide all such matters with special speed so that we can decide either such matters are malicious or genuine.