Initial scrutiny establishes huge evasion of tax
*Several lockers sealed, operated; operation ends
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 25: Concluding three-day long search and seizure operation in the premises of liquor traders in Jammu, the Investigation Wing of the Income Tax Department has seized substantial cash, jewellery and incriminating documents, the initial scrutiny of which establishes huge evasion of tax.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that different teams of the Investigation Wing of the Income Tax Department mostly from outside the Jammu concluded three-day long search and seizure operation in 24 premises of the liquor traders this morning.
During the operation, which was closely supervised by Joint Director rank officer of the Investigation Wing, the teams seized substantial cash from almost all the liquor traders, large quantity of jewellery and several incriminating documents, which were clearly reflecting fudging of accounts for evasion of Income Tax, sources said.
“Though the initial scrutiny clearly established evasion of tax yet the exact quantum will be worked out during the detailed examination of the impounded documents, which will begin within a day or two by the Investigation Wing Jammu”, sources informed.
During the well-planned operation, even lockers of liquor traders in different banks were either seized or operated upon by following the due procedure laid down under the Income Tax Act and cash as well as jewellery was recovered from there, they said.
“It is not possible to make specific revelations about the seizure made during the operation but it is fact that everything was substantial”, sources further said, adding “a detailed report about the progress made during the operation and findings on the basis of detailed examination of the impounded documents will be submitted to the higher authorities as early as possible for initiation of further necessary action against the liquor traders, who were indulging into tax evasion during the past so many years”.
As per the sources, this was the first major search and seizure operation by the Investigation Wing of the Income Tax Department against local business establishments during the past five years. “The possibility of more such operations in near future cannot be ruled out as despite being small town there is huge evasion of Income Tax by the businessmen and traders in Jammu”, they added.
“There are certain persons who are not coming forward with the exact income and subsequent payment of tax because of lack of awareness about the provisions of the Income Tax Act but there are business and other establishments which are intentionally concealing the income with the sole objective of tax evasion”, sources pointed out.
However, the Income Tax Department will keep on maintaining hawk’s eye on the activities of assesses and necessary action will be taken at the appropriate time, they made it clear.
The successful search and seizure operation was carried out on the basis of credible inputs about evasion of Income Tax. The operation was carried out in the premises of Dewan Modern Breweries at Talab Tillo, Jewel Chowk, Jaipur and Delhi on the basis of strong information about the evasion of Income Tax.
Similarly, search and seizure operation was conducted in Trishal Traders, Mahadev Traders and Trikuta Wine Traders, which have retail liquor vends in different parts of Jammu. During the action, the business and residential premises of some of these traders were covered by the Investigation Wing of the Income Tax Department.
Appropriate warrants for the search and seizure were obtained by the Investigation Wing from the concerned authorities of the department to avoid any legal lacuna in the operation.
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