NEW DELHI: Sleuths from the IT dept paid a surprise visit to the BBC branches in Delhi and Mumbai. The phones of the employees were seized at first. The raid comes against the backdrop of criticism the Britain news broadcasting channel has been facing over the documentary series on PM Modi and allegations linked to the 2002 Gujarat riots.
According to sources, tax officials were carrying out a survey of the allegations of international taxation and transfer pricing irregularities involving the news company.” We need some clarifications and for that our team is visiting the BBC office and we are carrying out a survey. Our officers have gone to check account books, these are not searches, said a Tax officer.”
Sources also report that officials have been asked to leave the premises early today and that their phones would also be returned after the so-called ‘survey’.
It is worth noting that earlier today Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized the BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots. “The truth emerges despite a thousand conspiracies around it. They are after Modi since 2002. But every time, Modi Ji comes out stronger & more popular,” Shah had said.