Taxmen take phones and laptops as the I-T survey continues at BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai.
The BBC India offices are currently conducting an income-tax survey to look at matters pertaining to international taxation and transfer pricing of BBC subsidiary companies. The terms “shell corporation,” “money transfer,” and “international transfer” were looked up by the officials.
At the BBC’s offices in Delhi and Mumbai, income tax officers are conducting an investigation and have taken employee phones. The UK government declared that it is “closely watching” the inquiries into the broadcaster because they are still going on after 19 hours.
In connection with a probe into possible tax avoidance, survey activities at the BBC’s offices in Delhi, Mumbai, and two other sites started at around 11 a.m.
PURPOSE OF THE SURVEY?
The survey, according to the Income Tax department, is being conducted to look into problems with foreign taxation and transfer pricing of BBC subsidiary firms.
Additionally, it said that despite previous notices being sent to the broadcaster, it was “defiant and non-compliant” and had significantly diverted its income.
I-T officials are examining records pertaining to the company’s business operations and those pertaining to its Indian branch. Tax officials assured that the phones would be returned and that this was a survey, not a search.
WHAT Actually Occurred DURING THE SURVEY?
The survey started on Tuesday at around 11 a.m. at the BBC India office. Income-tax officials seized all of the premises’ technological equipment and examined each employee’s mobile device.
The staff in the Delhi office had their cell phones taken away, and they were told to leave. The afternoon shift employees were instructed to work from home.
Sources informed India Today that the IT officials looked for four keywords on the systems, including shell company, financial transfer, and overseas transfer. As the survey continues, there are many personnel in the BBC India headquarters.
UK WATCHING CONDITION
Although the action has not received an official announcement, British government sources claimed they are “closely watching” claims of tax surveys carried out at the BBC’s India operations.
Journalism is still prevalent: BBC
According to the BBC, tax authorities are completely collaborating with them.
“We are actively collaborating with the Income Tax authorities, who are currently in offices in New Delhi and Mumbai. The BBC’s press office tweeted, “We hope to have this matter handled as soon as possible.
“We continue to seek for a swift resolution to this issue while offering our personnel assistance throughout this time. We remain dedicated to serving our audiences in India, and our journalism and output both continue as usual, the BBC stated in a statement.
However, the Editors Guild of India expressed its “great worry” over the “searches” of the BBC headquarters, saying they were a continuation of a “pattern” of using government organisations to “intimidate and harass” media outlets that are critical of the government.
AT THE BBC INDIA OFFICES, WE ARE ON A SURVEY
The Indian tax officials performed a survey at the BBC office in Delhi, and the United States indicated it is aware of this but is unable to comment.
“We are aware that Indian tax authorities have searched the BBC premises in Delhi. If you want more information about this search, I’ll have to direct you to the Indian authorities “Ned Price, a spokesman for the State Department, stated
When questioned about whether this behaviour violated some of the principles or values of democracy, Price responded, “No, I couldn’t. We are aware of the details surrounding these searches, but I simply lack the authority to pass judgement.”
BJP Reacts After Opposition Questions Timing
Following the UK-based public broadcaster’s two-part programme, India: The Modi Question, which made reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 2002 Gujarat riots, a survey was conducted at the BBC India headquarters.
The Congress claimed the action “reeks of desperation” and connected the survey to the BBC documentary.
“While the government is harassing BBC, we are requesting a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation into the Adani-Hindenburg dispute. When one is fated, one makes poor decisions, according to Vinash Kaale Viprit Buddhi “Jairam Ramesh, a leader in the Congress.
Mahua Moitra, a member of the Trinamool Congress, tweeted, “reports of an Income Tax raid at the BBC headquarters in Delhi. Really? wow How unforeseen.”
The governing BJP claimed that the BBC’s reporting was “venomous, superficial, and agenda-driven,” and claimed that the Income Tax agency should be permitted to carry out its duties.