The Income Tax Department conducted searches at independent think tank Centre for Policy Research in Delhi on Wednesday. The premises of the think tank located near Malcha Marg in central Delhi were searched.
The action comes on a day when simultaneous raids being conducted by the I-T department in multiple states over a tax evasion probe against certain registered unrecognised political parties (RUPP) and their alleged dubious financial transactions.
At least 110 locations in Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Haryana and some other states were searched by the I-T department. The action was taken against certain RUPPs, their promoters and linked entities to probe the source of their income and expenditure, PTI reported.
READ | Income Tax Raids Multiple Locations In India Against Unrecognised Political Parties
The surprise searches by the I-T department comes weeks after the Election Commission (EC) struck off at least 198 entities from its list of RUPP after they were found non-existent during physical verification.
The Election Commission had announced that it was taking action against more than 2,100 RUPP entities for flouting rules and election laws, including those related to filing of monetary contributions, failing to update their address and names of office bearers, PTI reported.
The poll watchdog had said some of these parties were indulging in “serious” financial impropriety. Several such parties across India have also been availing tax relief without properly sharing their audit and contribution reports.
The EC has also withdrawn various benefits accorded to these parties under the Symbols Order (1968), including allocation of common election symbol.
In a statement issued in June, the poll panel had said any RUPP aggrieved by the decision could approach respective chief electoral officers (CEOs) of states within 30 days along with all evidence of existence, year-wise annual audited accounts, contribution report, expenditure report and updated list of office-bearers.
(With inputs from Manoj Verma)