The Income Tax Department has served a notice to the AAP for receiving donations worth ₹2 crore from allegedly fake companies. The party has to respond by February 16.

A similar notice has been issued to the Congress and 48 other individuals and institutions.

Without specifying the names of institutions and individuals, an I-T department statement said an enquiry has been initiated here into the issuance of cheques by companies that are alleged to be non-genuine and entry operators.

The companies and their directors could not be traced at the addresses given to banks and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. An examination of these companies’ accounts revealed that they have issued accommodation entries to several persons and entities for substantial amounts.

It was also found that the sources for such entries were prima facie not genuine. “To carry forward the investigation process, notices were issued to about 50 persons and entities including two political parties on February 9. These notices seek information about the identity of the contributors and other relevant details which are necessary to complete the process of investigation,” the notice said.

It was issued two days after exit polls predicted a victory for AAP in the Delhi polls and a day before the verdict, where AAP won with a thumping majority.

Open to probe AAP senior leader Ashutosh said: “We have nothing to hide. We welcome any investigation.”

The notice was served after a breakaway group, the AAP Volunteers Action Manch (AVAM), alleged that the AAP had received four donations of ₹50 lakh each from “bogus companies”.

“All these four donations…were received on April 5, 2014 at 12:00 am. All the four companies mentioned on the AAP website are bogus,” it had said, accusing the party of “money laundering”. The revelation was made five days before polling.

The I-T department also said it has initiated investigation into the issuance of cheques by companies which are acting as entry operators to convert illegal cash into legitimate money. Recently in Kolkata, this investigation led to the detection of substantial unaccounted income. In these cases, the unaccounted income was sought to be converted into legitimate money with the help of non-genuine companies which were acting as entry operators, it said while adding that based on media reports, it has initiated an enquiry here.

According to sources, the department has also issued summon to the ‘Principal Officer.’ However, it clarified that personal attendance of the officer is not required and furnishing of information or documents will be treated as sufficient compliance.

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