Delhi (India), February 14, 2023: The Income Tax Department has conducted surveys at the Delhi and Mumbai offices of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in relation to alleged tax evasion and irregularities pertaining to international tax and Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) transactions, according to officials.
The tax authorities are going through documents to check for irregularities related to these transactions. It is important to note that surveys, not searches, are being conducted at the BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai, according to a senior official of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
The survey action by the tax department against the British broadcaster comes weeks after the BBC released a documentary titled “India: The Modi Question.”
On January 20, the Center ordered YouTube and Twitter to take down links sharing the documentary, with officials saying it has been found to be “undermining the sovereignty and integrity of India” and has “the potential to adversely impact” the country’s “friendly relations with foreign states” and “public order within the country.” The documentary focuses on Modi’s and his then-state government’s response to the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The Income Tax Act empowers officials to enter any premises of the assessee, such as residences, shops, factories, or offices, for a search and seizure operation.
Surveys, which are conducted under Section 133A of the Income Tax Act, take place only on business premises. Surveys start during normal business hours, whereas searches can be conducted any time of the day. During surveys, I-T officials look into documents such as books of accounts, bank accounts, cash, stock, and non-valuable documents.
