Black money abroad: No summons issued to MPs, says I-T Dept

Our Bureau Updated - November 13, 2017 at 01:47 AM.

The Income-Tax Department has strongly denied that some Members of Parliament have been issued summons regarding unaccounted wealth stashed overseas.

A national daily reported on Monday that summons have been issued to three MPs from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Kerala to appear for questioning at the Delhi office of the Income-Tax Department's recently-set up Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

The report further added that it was learnt one of these MPs had Rs 200 crore in overseas accounts. The MPs would be asked to explain the source of funds in the Geneva accounts.

However, a statement issued by the Central Board of Direct Taxes said, “This information is factually incorrect and is therefore denied.”

But the statement was silent on the whether the Department has conducted over 50 searches during last two months following receipts of details regarding 700 bank accounts from the French Government.

Meanwhile, the BJP demanded the Government to reveal the names of all the 700 account holders. The party also demanded that the Government make public the action taken to bring back Indian money stashed abroad and steps initiated to prosecute such tax evaders.

The Opposition alleged that the Congress-led Government lacked the will to tackle corruption and black money issues. It alleged that the ruling party was using “every means available” to protect and save the corrupt.

>Shishir.s@thehindu.co.in

Published on November 1, 2011 15:53