Critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi have also questioned the timing of the searches, which came weeks after the BBC aired a documentary in the U.K. that was critical of Modi.
“The department gathered several evidences pertaining to the operation of the organization which indicate that tax has not been paid on certain remittances which have not been disclosed as income in India by the foreign entities of the group,” the Central Board of Direct Taxes said in a statement.
The BBC said in a statement that it would “respond appropriately to any direct formal communication received from the Income Tax Department.” It said the authorities were investigating issues related to international taxation and transfer pricing of BBC subsidiary companies. “These raids have all the appearance of a reprisal against the BBC for releasing a documentary critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi three weeks ago. They have come at a time when independent media are being hounded more and more, and when pluralism is shrinking in India due to increased media concentration,” the group said in a statement on Thursday.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Opinion | Narendra Modi Looks Likely to Weather an Indian Business ScandalFrom WSJopinion: A market vote against Gautam Adani shouldn’t be confused with a political vote against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, writes dhume
Read more »
Indian officials probe BBC for 3rd day, alleging tax dodgeNEW DELHI (AP) — India’s tax officials were searching the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai for a third straight day on Thursday seeking information about the organization’s business operations amid allegations of tax evasion, as opposition political parties and other media organizations criticized the move as an attempt to intimidate the media.
Read more »
Indian tax inspectors examine mobiles, laptops of BBC employeesTax officials had remained at the BBC's offices, some sleeping there, since the surprise inspection was launched on Tuesday, according to witnesses.
Read more »
Search of BBC offices by Indian government enters third day | CNN BusinessIndian tax officials continued their search of the BBC's offices in New Delhi and Mumbai for the third consecutive day, two sources with knowledge of the matter told CNN, weeks after the country banned a documentary from the British broadcaster that was critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged role in deadly riots more than 20 years ago.
Read more »
Indian tax inspectors are still searching BBC offices, with some staying overnightIndian tax inspectors remain at BBC offices in Delhi and Mumbai for a third straight day, raids that come weeks after the British broadcaster aired a documentary critical of India's prime minister.
Read more »
Search of BBC offices by Indian government ends after three day raid | CNN BusinessIndian tax officials have ended their days-long search of the BBC's offices in New Delhi and Mumbai, the British broadcaster announced Thursday. Officials had spent three days raiding the spaces following the country's ban on a BBC documentary that was critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's alleged role in deadly riots more than 20 years ago.
Read more »