IMPHAL, Feb 20: Investigation Wing of Income Tax Department, North East Region detected black money amounting to Rs 12 crore during raids conducted in different parts of the State after the announcement of election code of conduct for the forthcoming State Assembly election.
This was claimed by IRS Director Income Tax (Intelligence and Criminal Investigation), Vikram Sahay during a press briefing held at the conference hall of Hotel Classic Grande this evening.
The press briefing was held after a one-hour long review meeting on works taken up by officers and officials of the Surveillance Wing of Income Tax Department, North East Region.
Vikram Sahay said that pursuant to the announcement of the general election 2017 to the State Assembly by Election Commission of India (ECI), various teams of the Department were deployed in order to keep a close surveillance and monitor over movement of cash and other valuable items, suspicious or potential, to be used for bribing electors during the ensuing election.
He said that besides opening a 24×7 control room of the Department in the State, surveillance/investigation teams were deployed at Tulihal International Airport and other major airports close to the State.
He informed that the investigation wings are also working in close connection with Directorate of Income Tax (Intelligence and Criminal Investigation) Guwahati.
He said that the investigation wings are exercising their full strength and collecting information from various sources.
The Income Tax official maintained that investigation teams of the Department were deployed in all the districts of the State and the Department is also closely monitoring routes where movement of huge of money is possible.
The Department has successfully conducted raids in seven locations in the State during which black money worth Rs 12 crore was detected, he said.
He further informed that the money has been frozen by the Department so that it could not be used to bribe electors in the coming election. However, he declined to provide identities of the individuals and firms from where the black money was detected, citing the matter is confidential.
Vikram Sahay went on to say that the Department is keeping a close watch on deposition of huge amount of money in banks as the money could be withdrawn for election purposes.
He said that a report on the works taken up by the Department in connection with the election will be tabled before ECI tomorrow. He appealed to the public to communicate the control room of the Department about movement of huge amount of money and other valuable items during the election.
IRS Principal Director of Income Tax (Investigation) NER Guwahati and other officers of the Department intelligence units were also present at the press briefing.
Source: The Sangai Express
