New Delhi: The Income Tax Department on Tuesday conducted a survey operation at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) offices in Delhi and Mumbai as part of a tax evasion investigation. The 'survey' has created a storm in political circles all around particularly BJP and Congress have come face to face. Both are accusing each other.
BJP said: BBC's propaganda and Congress' agenda are the same
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said BBC is the 'most corrupt' corporation in the world; its propaganda and Congress' agenda go together...He further said the highest agency in the country has taken its decision. Now will the Oppossion adhere to this agency or will it side with BBC. No agency is above the law of the country.
Bhatia said that today be it any company, media organization or anything...if it is working in India, it has to work according to the law of India. If the company is doing well, then what to fear..Let the Income Tax Department do its job...
Congress said: This 'survey' is like undeclared emergency
Congress General Secy K C Venugopal said the IT raid at BBC offices reeks of desperation and shows that the Modi government is scared of criticism. We condemn these intimidation tactics in the harshest terms. This undemocratic and dictatorial attitude cannot go on any longer.
Congress tweeted from its official Twitter handle that first BBC documentary was banned. Now IT has raided BBC. This is an undeclared emergency.
Income Tax teams are conducting ‘surveys’ at the BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai over allegations of international taxation and transfer pricing irregularities, said sources.
During searches documents were seized and phones and laptops of journalists were taken away. According to sources the offices will remain sealed for the duration of the survey and employees have been asked not to share details with anyone.
IT started the survey at BBC offices around 11.20 am, which was going on till the time of writing this piece.
