The Income Tax (I-T) sleuths on Sunday continued their alleged tax evasion related searches for the third consecutive day related to Shiv Sena corporator Yashwant Jadhav, his aides and a few civic contractors. At least 33 premises are being searched by IT officials. The agency sources claimed that some bank transactions and entries are under the scrutiny of tax officials.
The agency sources claimed that the ambit of the probe includes scrutinising how many BMC contractors were awarded contracts by the civic body. The sources claimed that I-T officials are scrutinising bank entries of the five contractors who are being searched. The I-T officials had also reportedly seized Rs 2 crore cash, mainly from the premises of Jadhav's family and his close associate businessman during the search that commenced on Friday and had also restrained 10 bank lockers for examination.
One of the key persons who is being investigated by the I-T officials is a businessman who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials in 2017 in connection with a money laundering case related to cricket betting. Following the involvement of this businessman having surfaced during the searches, the I-T sleuths are likely to share his information with the ED. The said businessman reportedly has business association with Jadhav family.
The I-T sleuths have been carrying out searches at the premises linked to Mazgaon based Jadhav, his aides and BMC contractors at multiple locations in Mumbai. The I-T searches continued till Sunday at Vile Parle area, Goregaon, Malad, Borivali & Mulund and Mazgaon.
"I think there's Income & Tax only in Maharashtra, no Income & Tax in BJP-ruled states. Municipal Corporation polls are here, so central agencies have work only in Maharashtra & WB; no work in rest of India. All is well there. We are noting all these things. We are watching, the public is watching too. Let them do it. Let them find out what they are searching for. They will keep searching," said Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut while speaking on the Income Tax searches.
Maha-Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, on the other hand, had accused BJP of 'misusing' central investigation agencies against them.
Shiv Sena leaders who are currently facing probe from ED are Anandrao Adsul, Pratap Sarnaik, Varsha Raut, Anil Parab and Bhavana Gawali.
While Jadhav's phone remained switched off, Yamini did not respond to calls and message from this correspondent.
Jadhav, who heads the all powerful decision-making body that gives final approval to proposals, has repeatedly faced allegations of corruption from the BJP.
BJP corporators have alleged rampant corruption in BMC under the name of Covid expenditure. Many "pro facto" proposals have been passed in the standing committee without explanation and details have not been provided to opposition parties.
