NEW DELHI: There will be no tax evasion probe against BSP supremo Mayawati as the Income Tax Department has returned two cases to its Noida unit flagging the jurisdiction and lack of clinching evidence in scrutinising alleged lakhs of crores of tax fraud.
Just before the Uttar Pradesh Assembly election, the I-T Department in December 2016 had revived six Tax Evasion Petitions (TEPs) against Mayawati and others, seeking the urgent attention of investigators. Some cases were also shifted to Noida from Lucknow and notices were served on certain real estate developers linked to the alleged tax evasion scandal.
Post-UP election result, two TEPs were sent to the I-T Department, Delhi, on March 27, 2017. But I-T Delhi, within 48-hours, returned the files to Noida office, which it appears is now headed for a quiet burial.
According to the documents accessed by The Sunday Standard, Principal Commissioner, Income Tax, Noida sent the two TEPs—120159742X and 140112297Z—on March 22, 2017 that was received by the I-T, Delhi, on March 27, 2017. A day later on March 29, the file was returned to Commissioner, I-T, Noida citing lack of evidence.
The first tax evasion case—TEP No. 120159742X—related to Mayawati, friends and family was submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner, alleging bogus and ghost companies controlled by them. Further, a case study of companies showing cash/bank/investment of `1,200 crores, and a further list of companies allegedly controlled by Anand Kumar, the BSP chief’s brother, was forwarded to examine funds parked in these companies, and non-transparent and dubious bank/cash transaction made by them.
“Perusal of tax jurisdiction details of these companies shows none of the above companies as per list provided being assessed in the current jurisdiction of ACIT, CC06. Hence, this office is not in the position to verify the genuineness of funds lying in these companies or genuineness of transaction entered by them,” the I-T note with this newspaper said.
Interestingly, the note while declining the probe goes on to acknowledge the list of companies mentioned in the petitions. The I-T letter said, “However, the list of companies as submitted through TEPs has been taken on record for further reference.”
In the second case, the I-T Department observed, “No specific details related to construction of ‘Mahal’ costing `150 lakh crore in Gautam Budh Nagar have been provided by the TEP petitioner.”
“Further, no specific details about properties in Lucknow, Saharanpur, Agra etc. worth `6 lakh crore have been provided, neither any specific details have been provided with regard to properties worth `12 lakh crore (in 125 cities) as such held by Anand Kumar, her (Mayawati’s) brother. In the absence of any specific details submitted by the petitioner, this office is not in position to carry any inquiry in this regard,” the I-T Department added.