Indian tax probe of BBC a follow-up, not vindictive - govt official

Police officers stand outside a building having BBC offices, where income tax officials are conducting a search, in New Delhi, India, February 14, 2023. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

India embarked on an income tax survey of BBC offices after the British news organisation failed to offer a convincing response to earlier tax notices, a government official said on Wednesday, weeks after India blocked a BBC documentary as propaganda.

Tax officials searched BBC premises in New Delhi and Mumbai for a second day on Wednesday, remaining in the buildings late into the evening. The action drew criticism from prominent media bodies inside India.