The BBC’s press team stated that officials from the Income Tax Department were present at its offices in New Delhi and Mumbai and confirmed that they are fully collaborating in the study.
A detail about The BBC responds “We are fully cooperating” after IT officials visit its headquarters in Delhi and Mumbai
“The Income Tax Department is currently visiting the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai, and we are completely cooperating. We want to settle this matter as soon as possible “BCC sent out a tweet.
The BBC’s response came just hours after a team of IT sleuths performed a survey at the BBC’s offices as part of an investigation into possible tax cheating.
Interestingly, the I-T activities came only weeks after the British broadcaster aired India: The Modi Question, a two-part documentary on the 2002 post-Godhra riots that probes into the Gujarat government’s role under then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
The director general of the Income Tax Department launched the crackdown in Mumbai, spanning three locations, and in New Delhi. According to officials, BBC employees were instructed to keep their phones in a specific location within the building.
The probe is related to international taxation issues involving BBC subsidiaries.
Soon after the I-T sleuths began their operations at the BBC offices, Congress lashed out at the government, claiming that while they are demanding a JPC on the Adani issue, they are also looking into the BBC.
Jairam Ramesh, the Congress general secretary, also used a Hindi proverb to criticise the administration, stating, “Vinash Kale, Vipreet Buddhi” (When doom comes, a person’s intellect works against his interests).
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responded to the Congress claims by saying that the grand old party should remember that former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi also banned the BBC.
During a news conference, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia stated that any media organisation operating in India must abide by the country’s rules and regulations.
“BBC has become the world’s most ‘Bhrasht Bakwas Corporation’. Unfortunately, BBC propaganda and Congress’ agenda are parallel “Bhatia stated.
