On February 26, 2024, Mr Lalit who worked as a cook in Hotel Ashoka, got an income tax notice.The notice claimed that he made a cash sale of Rs 24.62 crore from a packing materials company and thus owed Rs 4 crore in income tax plus a penalty for under-reporting his income. Mr Lalit earned a low salary, well below the tax-free limit, and was shocked to receive this notice. So, he immediately checked his Form 26AS.
His Form 26AS showed that his PAN had an entry for the Rs 24.62-crore cash sales. It also showed that 1% TDS was deducted on this amount. Thereafter, Lalit went to the Greater Kailash Police Station, New Delhi, and the Delhi Police Cyber Cell, Saket to file a formal complaint.