Shillong, Oct 8: The Income Tax Department carried out search and seizure operations earlier this week in the case of two groups based in the North-East Region and West Bengal.
According to the Ministry of Finance, a total of 15 premises were covered in the search action, which was spread across Kolkata, Guwahati, Rangia, Shillong and Patna.
A statement from the Ministry of Finance stated that one of the group is engaged in the business of cement manufacturing.
“During the search action, it was found that this group generated unaccounted income by indulging in out-of-books sales and booking bogus expenses. This unaccounted income is laundered back into the business through shell companies,” the Finance Ministry said.
Evidences found during the search revealed that many paper companies are run by the group to provide accommodation entries to its flagship concern.
According to the Finance Ministry these paper companies were found to be non-existent at their given addresses.
The Finance Ministry said, “During the search, incriminating evidence indicating bogus unsecured loans, bogus commission paid, bogus share premium received through shell companies etc. was also found. These evidences indicate that an amount of more than Rs. 50 crore may be unaccounted.”
The group was also found to be wrongly showing tribal individuals as creditors, such amounts being to the tune of around Rs. 38 crore.
Further, details of certain offshore entities/ bank accounts were found during the search, which are apparently not declared in the relevant returns of income.
Meanwhile, the other group is actively engaged in executing railway contracts in Assam, Mizoram and other parts of North East.
During the search operation incriminating documents, loose sheets and digital evidences were seized indicating undisclosed investments in land and properties.
Also large number of sale deeds pertaining to land and properties have been found, the valuation whereof could be in excess of Rs. 110 crore.
“During the search, corroborative evidence could not be produced to explain the source of acquisition of these assets. Further, documents containing details of cash transactions amounting to more than Rs. 13 crore in the sale of properties have been found,” the Finance Ministry said.
The Ministry said that these search and seizure actions resulted in detection of undisclosed income in excess of Rs. 250 crore.
“Unaccounted cash of more than Rs. 51 lakh has been seized. Nine bank lockers have been put under prohibitory orders and are yet to be operated,” the Finance Ministry added.
Further investigations are in progress.